 Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans: We are 15 years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores, that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars, that saw a vicious recession spread across our Nation and the world. It has been and still is a hard time for many. But tonight we turn the page. Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More of our kids are graduating than ever before. More of our people are insured than ever before. And we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we've been in almost 30 years. Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago, nearly 180,000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, fewer than 15,000 remain. And we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 generation who has served to keep us safe. We are humbled and grateful for your service. America, for all that we have endured, for all the grit and hard work required to come back, for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this: The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong. At this moment—with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, booming energy production—we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth. It's now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next 15 years and for decades to come. Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort? Will we approach the world fearful and reactive, dragged into costly conflicts that strain our military and set back our standing? Or will we lead wisely, using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet? Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another? Or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled America forward? In 2 weeks, I will send this Congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical, not partisan. And in the months ahead, I'll crisscross the country making a case for those ideas. So tonight I want to focus less on a checklist of proposals and focus more on the values at stake in the choices before us. It begins with our economy. Seven years ago, Rebekah and Ben Erler of Minneapolis were newlyweds. [ ] She waited tables. He worked construction. Their first child Jack was on the way. They were young and in love in America. And it doesn't get much better than that. "If only we had known," Rebekah wrote to me last spring, "what was about to happen to the housing and construction market." As the crisis worsened, Ben's business dried up, so he took what jobs he could find, even if they kept him on the road for long stretches of time. Rebekah took out student loans and enrolled in community college and retrained for a new career. They sacrificed for each other. And slowly, it paid off. They bought their first home. They had a second son Henry. Rebekah got a better job and then a raise. Ben is back in construction and home for dinner every night. "It is amazing," Rebekah wrote, "what you can bounce back from when you have to. . . . We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times." We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times. America, Rebekah and Ben's story is our story. They represent the millions who have worked hard and scrimped and sacrificed and retooled. You are the reason that I ran for this office. You are the people I was thinking of 6 years ago today, in the darkest months of the crisis, when I stood on the steps of this Capitol and promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation. And it has been your resilience, your effort that has made it possible for our country to emerge stronger. We believed we could reverse the tide of outsourcing and draw new jobs to our shores. And over the past 5 years, our businesses have created more than 11 million new jobs. We believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet. And today, America is number one in oil and gas. America is number one in wind power. Every 3 weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008. And thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards, the typical family this year should save about $750 at the pump. We believed we could prepare our kids for a more competitive world. And today, our younger students have earned the highest math and reading scores on record. Our high school graduation rate has hit an alltime high. More Americans finish college than ever before. We believed that sensible regulations could prevent another crisis, shield families from ruin, and encourage fair competition. Today, we have new tools to stop taxpayer-funded bailouts and a new consumer watchdog to protect us from predatory lending and abusive credit card practices. And in the past year alone, about 10 million uninsured Americans finally gained the security of health coverage. At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious, that we would crush jobs and explode deficits. Instead, we've seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in 50 years. This is good news, people. [ ] So the verdict is clear. Middle class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work as long as politics don't get in the way. We can't slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with Government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns. We can't put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street or refighting past battles on immigration when we've got to fix a broken system. And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, I will veto it. It will have earned my veto. Today, thanks to a growing economy, the recovery is touching more and more lives. Wages are finally starting to rise again. We know that more small-business owners plan to raise their employees' pay than at any time since 2007. But here's the thing: Those of us here tonight, we need to set our sights higher than just making sure Government doesn't screw things up—[ ]—that Government doesn't halt the progress we're making. We need to do more than just do no harm. Tonight, together, let's do more to restore the link between hard work and growing opportunity for every American. Because families like Rebekah's still need our help. She and Ben are working as hard as ever, but they've had to forego vacations and a new car so that they can pay off student loans and save for retirement. Friday night pizza, that's a big splurge. Basic childcare for Jack and Henry costs more than their mortgage and almost as much as a year at the University of Minnesota. Like millions of hard-working Americans, Rebekah isn't asking for a handout, but she is asking that we look for more ways to help families get ahead. And in fact, at every moment of economic change throughout our history, this country has taken bold action to adapt to new circumstances and to make sure everyone gets a fair shot. We set up worker protections, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid to protect ourselves from the harshest adversity. We gave our citizens schools and colleges, infrastructure and the Internet, tools they needed to go as far as their efforts and their dreams will take them. That's what middle class economics is: the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, everyone plays by the same set of rules. We don't just want everyone to share in America's success, we want everyone to contribute to our success. So what does middle class economics require in our time? First, middle class economics means helping working families feel more secure in a world of constant change. That means helping folks afford childcare, college, health care, a home, retirement. And my budget will address each of these issues, lowering the taxes of working families and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year. Here's one example. During World War II, when men like my grandfather went off to war, having women like my grandmother in the workforce was a national security priority, so this country provided universal childcare. In today's economy, when having both parents in the workforce is an economic necessity for many families, we need affordable, high-quality childcare more than ever. It's not a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. So it's time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or as a women's issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that's why my plan will make quality childcare more available and more affordable for every middle class and low-income family with young children in America, by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year. Here's another example. Today, we are the only advanced country on Earth that doesn't guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers. Forty-three million workers have no paid sick leave—43 million. Think about that. And that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home. So I'll be taking new action to help States adopt paid leave laws of their own. And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November, let's put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn 7 days of paid sick leave. It's the right thing to do. [ ] It's the right thing to do. Of course, nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages. That's why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. I mean, it's 2015. [ ] It's time. We still need to make sure employees get the overtime they've earned. And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this: If you truly believe you could work full time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest working people in America a raise. Now, these ideas won't make everybody rich, won't relieve every hardship. That's not the job of government. To give working families a fair shot, we still need more employers to see beyond next quarter's earnings and recognize that investing in their workforce is in their company's long-term interest. We still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions, and give American workers a voice. But you know, things like childcare and sick leave and equal pay, things like lower mortgage premiums and a higher minimum wage—these ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families. That's a fact. And that's what all of us, Republicans and Democrats alike, were sent here to do. Now, second, to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help Americans upgrade their skills. America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college, trained the best workforce in the world. We were ahead of the curve. But other countries caught on. And in a 21st-century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to up our game. We need to do more. By the end of this decade, two in three job openings will require some higher education—two in three. And yet we still live in a country where too many bright, striving Americans are priced out of the education they need. It's not fair to them, and it's sure not smart for our future. And that's why I'm sending this Congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college to zero. Keep in mind, 40 percent of our college students choose community college. Some are young and starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job. Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market. Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy without a load of debt. Understand, you've got to earn it. You've got to keep your grades up and graduate on time. Tennessee, a State with Republican leadership, and Chicago, a city with Democratic leadership, are showing that free community college is possible. I want to spread that idea all across America so that 2 years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today. Let's stay ahead of the curve. And I want to work with this Congress to make sure those already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments so that student debt doesn't derail anyone's dreams. Thanks to Vice President Biden's great work to update our job training system, we're connecting community colleges with local employers to train workers to fill high-paying jobs like coding and nursing and robotics. Tonight I'm also asking more businesses to follow the lead of companies like CVS and UPS and offer more educational benefits and paid apprenticeships, opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher paying jobs even if they don't have a higher education. And as a new generation of veterans comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the American Dream they helped defend. Already, we've made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care. We're slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need. And we're making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs. And Joining Forces, the national campaign launched by Michelle and Jill Biden—[ ]—thank you, Michelle; thank you, Jill—has helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses get a new job. So to every CEO in America, let me repeat: If you want somebody who's going to get the job done and done right, hire a veteran. Finally, as we better train our workers, we need the new economy to keep churning out high-wage jobs for our workers to fill. Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and all advanced economies combined. Our manufacturers have added almost 800,000 new jobs. Some of our bedrock sectors, like our auto industry, are booming. But there are also millions of Americans who work in jobs that didn't even exist 10 or 20 years ago, jobs at companies like Google and eBay and Tesla. So no one knows for certain which industries will generate the jobs of the future. But we do know we want them here in America. We know that. And that's why the third part of middle class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire. Twenty-first century businesses need 21st-century infrastructure: modern ports and stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest Internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let's set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let's pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come. Let's do it. Let's get it done. [ ] Let's get it done. Twenty-first century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. Today, our businesses export more than ever, and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. But as we speak, China wants to write the rules for the world's fastest growing region. That would put our workers and our businesses at a disadvantage. Why would we let that happen? We should write those rules. We should level the playing field. And that's why I'm asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers, with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe that aren't just free, but are also fair. It's the right thing to do. Look, I'm the first one to admit that past trade deals haven't always lived up to the hype, and that's why we've gone after countries that break the rules at our expense. But 95 percent of the world's customers live outside our borders. We can't close ourselves off from those opportunities. More than half of manufacturing executives have said they're actively looking to bring jobs back from China. So let's give them one more reason to get it done. Twenty-first century businesses will rely on American science and technology, research and development. I want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine, one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. In some patients with cystic fibrosis, this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable. So tonight I'm launching a new precision medicine initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier. We can do this. I intend to protect a free and open Internet, extend its reach to every classroom and every community and help folks build the fastest networks so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world. I want Americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs: converting sunlight into liquid fuel; creating revolutionary prosthetics so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kids again; pushing out into the solar system not just to visit, but to stay. Last month, we launched a new spacecraft as part of a reenergized space program that will send American astronauts to Mars. And in 2 months, to prepare us for those missions, Scott Kelly will begin a year-long stay in space. So good luck, Captain. Make sure to Instagram it. We're proud of you. Now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there's bipartisan support in this Chamber. Members of both parties have told me so. Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. As Americans, we don't mind paying our fair share of taxes as long as everybody else does too. But for far too long, lobbyists have rigged the Tax Code with loopholes that let some corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight. They've riddled it with giveaways that the super-rich don't need, while denying a break to middle class families who do. This year, we have an opportunity to change that. Let's close loopholes so we stop rewarding companies that keep profits abroad and reward those that invest here in America. Let's use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and to make it more attractive for companies to bring jobs home. Let's simplify the system and let a small-business owner file based on her actual bank statement, instead of the number of accountants she can afford. And let's close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top 1 percent to avoid paying taxes on their accumulated wealth. We can use that money to help more families pay for childcare and send their kids to college. We need a Tax Code that truly helps working Americans trying to get a leg up in the new economy, and we can achieve that together. [ ] We can achieve it together. Helping hard-working families make ends meet, giving them the tools they need for good-paying jobs in this new economy, maintaining the conditions of growth and competitiveness—this is where America needs to go. I believe it's where the American people want to go. It will make our economy stronger a year from now, 15 years from now, and deep into the century ahead. Of course, if there's one thing this new century has taught us, it's that we cannot separate our work here at home from challenges beyond our shores. My first duty as Commander in Chief is to defend the United States of America. In doing so, the question is not whether America leads in the world, but how. When we make rash decisions, reacting to the headlines instead of using our heads, when the first response to a challenge is to send in our military, then we risk getting drawn into unnecessary conflicts and neglect the broader strategy we need for a safer, more prosperous world. That's what our enemies want us to do. I believe in a smarter kind of American leadership. We lead best when we combine military power with strong diplomacy, when we leverage our power with coalition building, when we don't let our fears blind us to the opportunities that this new century presents. That's exactly what we're doing right now. And around the globe, it is making a difference. First, we stand united with people around the world who have been targeted by terrorists, from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris. We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we have done relentlessly since I took office, to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies. At the same time, we've learned some costly lessons over the last 13 years. Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, we've trained their security forces, who have now taken the lead, and we've honored our troops' sacrifice by supporting that country's first democratic transition. Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we're partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America. In Iraq and Syria, American leadership—including our military power—is stopping ISIL's advance. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group. We're also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. Now, this effort will take time. It will require focus. But we will succeed. And tonight I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL. We need that authority. Second, we're demonstrating the power of American strength and diplomacy. We're upholding the principle that bigger nations can't bully the small, by opposing Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine's democracy and reassuring our NATO allies. Last year, as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies, as we were reinforcing our presence with frontline states, Mr. Putin's aggression, it was suggested, was a masterful display of strategy and strength. That's what I heard from some folks. [ ] Well, today, it is America that stands strong and united with our allies, while Russia is isolated with its economy in tatters. That's how America leads: not with bluster, but with persistent, steady resolve. In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date. When what you're doing doesn't work for 50 years, it's time to try something new. [ ] And our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere. It removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba. It stands up for democratic values and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people. And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo. As His Holiness Pope Francis has said, diplomacy is the work of "small steps." And these small steps have added up to new hope for the future in Cuba. And after years in prison, we are overjoyed that Alan Gross is back where he belongs. Welcome home, Alan. We're glad you're here. Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material. Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran, secures America and our allies, including Israel, while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict. There are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran. But new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails: alienating America from its allies, making it harder to maintain sanctions, and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again. It doesn't make sense. And that's why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress. The American people expect us only to go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom. Third, we're looking beyond the issues that have consumed us in the past to shape the coming century. No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids. So we're making sure our Government integrates intelligence to combat cyber threats, just as we have done to combat terrorism. And tonight I urge this Congress to finally pass the legislation we need to better meet the evolving threat of cyber attacks, combat identity theft, and protect our children's information. That should be a bipartisan effort. If we don't act, we'll leave our Nation and our economy vulnerable. If we do, we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe. In West Africa, our troops, our scientists, our doctors, our nurses, our health care workers are rolling back Ebola, saving countless lives and stopping the spread of disease. I could not be prouder of them, and I thank this Congress for your bipartisan support of their efforts. But the job is not yet done, and the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effective global effort to prevent the spread of future pandemics, invest in smart development, and eradicate extreme poverty. In the Asia-Pacific, we are modernizing alliances while making sure that other nations play by the rules: in how they trade, how they resolve maritime disputes, how they participate in meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation and disaster relief. And no challenge—no challenge—poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change. Two thousand fourteen was the planet's warmest year on record. Now, 1 year doesn't make a trend, but this does: 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century. Now, I've heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they're not scientists, that we don't have enough information to act. Well, I'm not a scientist, either. But you know what, I know a lot of really good scientists—[ ]—at NASA and at NOAA and at our major universities. And the best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we don't act forcefully, we'll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration and conflict and hunger around the globe. The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it. And that's why, over the past 6 years, we've done more than ever to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy to the way we use it. That's why we've set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history. And that's why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts. I am determined to make sure that American leadership drives international action. In Beijing, we made a historic announcement: The United States will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution. And China committed, for the first time, to limiting their emissions. And because the world's two largest economies came together, other nations are now stepping up and offering hope that this year the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we've got. And there's one last pillar of our leadership, and that's the example of our values. As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we're threatened, which is why I have prohibited torture and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It's why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It's why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims, the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That's why we defend free speech and advocate for political prisoners and condemn the persecution of women or religious minorities or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they are the right thing to do, but because ultimately, they will make us safer. As Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice. So it makes no sense to spend $3 million per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit. Since I've been President, we've worked responsibly to cut the population of Gitmo in half. Now it is time to finish the job. And I will not relent in my determination to shut it down. It is not who we are. It's time to close Gitmo. As Americans, we cherish our civil liberties, and we need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks. So while some have moved on from the debates over our surveillance programs, I have not. As promised, our intelligence agencies have worked hard, with the recommendations of privacy advocates, to increase transparency and build more safeguards against potential abuse. And next month, we'll issue a report on how we're keeping our promise to keep our country safe while strengthening privacy. Looking to the future instead of the past, making sure we match our power with diplomacy and use force wisely, building coalitions to meet new challenges and opportunities, leading always with the example of our values—that's what makes us exceptional. That's what keeps us strong. That's why we have to keep striving to hold ourselves to the highest of standards: our own. You know, just over a decade ago, I gave a speech in Boston where I said there wasn't a liberal America or a conservative America, a Black America or a White America, but a United States of America. I said this because I had seen it in my own life, in a nation that gave someone like me a chance; because I grew up in Hawaii, a melting pot of races and customs; because I made Illinois my home, a State of small towns, rich farmland, one of the world's great cities, a microcosm of the country where Democrats and Republicans and Independents, good people of every ethnicity and every faith, share certain bedrock values. Over the past 6 years, the pundits have pointed out more than once that my Presidency hasn't delivered on this vision. How ironic, they say, that our politics seems more divided than ever. It's held up as proof not just of my own flaws—of which there are many—but also as proof that the vision itself is misguided, naive, that there are too many people in this town who actually benefit from partisanship and gridlock for us to ever do anything about it. I know how tempting such cynicism may be. But I still think the cynics are wrong. I still believe that we are one people. I still believe that together, we can do great things, even when the odds are long. I believe this because over and over in my 6 years in office, I have seen America at its best. I've seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from New York to California and our newest officers at West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, New London. I've mourned with grieving families in Tucson and Newtown, in Boston, in West, Texas, and West Virginia. I've watched Americans beat back adversity from the Gulf Coast to the Great Plains, from Midwest assembly lines to the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. I've seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legal in States that 7 in 10 Americans call home. So I know the good and optimistic and big-hearted generosity of the American people who every day live the idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. And I know they expect those of us who serve here to set a better example. So the question for those of us here tonight is how we, all of us, can better reflect America's hopes. I've served in Congress with many of you. I know many of you well. There are a lot of good people here on both sides of the aisle. And many of you have told me that this isn't what you signed up for: arguing past each other on cable shows, the constant fundraising, always looking over your shoulder at how the base will react to every decision. Imagine if we broke out of these tired old patterns. Imagine if we did something different. Understand, a better politics isn't one where Democrats abandon their agenda or Republicans simply embrace mine. A better politics is one where we appeal to each other's basic decency instead of our basest fears. A better politics is one where we debate without demonizing each other, where we talk issues and values and principles and facts rather than "gotcha" moments or trivial gaffes or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people's daily lives. A politics—a better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter and spend more time lifting young people up with a sense of purpose and possibility, asking them to join in the great mission of building America. If we're going to have arguments, let's have arguments, but let's make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country. We still may not agree on a woman's right to choose, but surely we can agree it's a good thing that teen pregnancies and abortions are nearing alltime lows and that every woman should have access to the health care that she needs. Yes, passions still fly on immigration, but surely we can all see something of ourselves in the striving young student and agree that no one benefits when a hard-working mom is snatched from her child and that it's possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. I've talked to Republicans and Democrats about that. That's something that we can share. We may go at it in campaign season, but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred, that it's being denied to too many, and that on this 50th anniversary of the great march from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights Act, we can come together, Democrats and Republicans, to make voting easier for every single American. We may have different takes on the events of Ferguson and New York. But surely we can understand a father who fears his son can't walk home without being harassed. And surely we can understand the wife who won't rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift. And surely we can agree that it's a good thing that for the first time in 40 years, the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together, and use that as a starting point for Democrats and Republicans, community leaders and law enforcement, to reform America's criminal justice system so that it protects and serves all of us. That's a better politics. That's how we start rebuilding trust. That's how we move this country forward. That's what the American people want. And that's what they deserve. I have no more campaigns to run. [ ] My only agenda—[ ].  . [ ]  I know because I won both of them. [ ] My only agenda for the next 2 years is the same as the one I've had since the day I swore an oath on the steps of this Capitol: to do what I believe is best for America. If you share the broad vision I outlined tonight, I ask you to join me in the work at hand. If you disagree with parts of it, I hope you'll at least work with me where you do agree. And I commit to every Republican here tonight that I will not only seek out your ideas, I will seek to work with you to make this country stronger. Because I want this Chamber, I want this city to reflect the truth: that for all our blind spots and shortcomings, we are a people with the strength and generosity of spirit to bridge divides, to unite in common effort, to help our neighbors, whether down the street or on the other side of the world. I want our actions to tell every child in every neighborhood, your life matters, and we are committed to improving your life chances, as committed as we are to working on behalf of our own kids. I want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift, that we're a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen: man and woman, young and old, Black and White, Latino, Asian, immigrant, Native American, gay, straight, Americans with mental illness or physical disability. Everybody matters. I want them to grow up in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true: that we are still more than a collection of red States and blue States, that we are the United States of America. I want them to grow up in a country where a young mom can sit down and write a letter to her President with a story that sums up these past 6 years: "It's amazing what you can bounce back from when you have to. . . . We are a strong, tight-knit family who's made it through some very, very hard times." My fellow Americans, we too are a strong, tight-knit family. We too have made it through some hard times. Fifteen years into this new century, we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and begun again the work of remaking America. We have laid a new foundation. A brighter future is ours to write. Let's begin this new chapter together, and let's start the work right now. Thank you. God bless you. God bless this country we love. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans: We are 15 years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores, that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars, that saw a vicious recession spread across our Nation and the world. It has been and still is a hard time for many. But tonight we turn the page. Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More of our kids are graduating than ever before. More of our people are insured than ever before. And we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we have been in almost 30 years. Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago, nearly 180,000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, fewer than 15,000 remain. And we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 generation who has served to keep us safe. We are humbled and grateful for your service. America, for all that we have endured, for all the grit and hard work required to come back, for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this: The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong. At this moment—with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, booming energy production—we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth. It is now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next 15 years and for decades to come. Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort? Will we approach the world fearful and reactive, dragged into costly conflicts that strain our military and set back our standing? Or will we lead wisely, using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet? Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another? Or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled America forward? In 2 weeks, I will send this Congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical, not partisan. And in the months ahead, I will crisscross the country making a case for those ideas. So tonight I want to focus less on a checklist of proposals and focus more on the values at stake in the choices before us. It begins with our economy. Seven years ago, Rebekah and Ben Erler of Minneapolis were newlyweds. [ ] She waited tables. He worked construction. Their first child Jack was on the way. They were young and in love in America. And it does not get much better than that. "If only we had known," Rebekah wrote to me last spring, "what was about to happen to the housing and construction market." As the crisis worsened, Ben's business dried up, so he took what jobs he could find, even if they kept him on the road for long stretches of time. Rebekah took out student loans and enrolled in community college and retrained for a new career. They sacrificed for each other. And slowly, it paid off. They bought their first home. They had a second son Henry. Rebekah got a better job and then a raise. Ben is back in construction and home for dinner every night. "It is amazing," Rebekah wrote, "what you can bounce back from when you have to. . . . We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times." We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times. America, Rebekah and Ben's story is our story. They represent the millions who have worked hard and scrimped and sacrificed and retooled. You are the reason that I ran for this office. You are the people I was thinking of 6 years ago today, in the darkest months of the crisis, when I stood on the steps of this Capitol and promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation. And it has been your resilience, your effort that has made it possible for our country to emerge stronger. We believed we could reverse the tide of outsourcing and draw new jobs to our shores. And over the past 5 years, our businesses have created more than 11 million new jobs. We believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet. And today, America is number one in oil and gas. America is number one in wind power. Every 3 weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008. And thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards, the typical family this year should save about $750 at the pump. We believed we could prepare our kids for a more competitive world. And today, our younger students have earned the highest math and reading scores on record. Our high school graduation rate has hit an alltime high. More Americans finish college than ever before. We believed that sensible regulations could prevent another crisis, shield families from ruin, and encourage fair competition. Today, we have new tools to stop taxpayer-funded bailouts and a new consumer watchdog to protect us from predatory lending and abusive credit card practices. And in the past year alone, about 10 million uninsured Americans finally gained the security of health coverage. At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious, that we would crush jobs and explode deficits. Instead, we have seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in 50 years. This is good news, people. [ ] So the verdict is clear. Middle class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work as long as politics do not get in the way. We cannot slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with Government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns. We cannot put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street or refighting past battles on immigration when we have got to fix a broken system. And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, I will veto it. It will have earned my veto. Today, thanks to a growing economy, the recovery is touching more and more lives. Wages are finally starting to rise again. We know that more small-business owners plan to raise their employees' pay than at any time since 2007. But here is the thing: Those of us here tonight, we need to set our sights higher than just making sure Government does not screw things up—[ ]—that Government does not halt the progress we are making. We need to do more than just do no harm. Tonight, together, let us do more to restore the link between hard work and growing opportunity for every American. Because families like Rebekah's still need our help. She and Ben are working as hard as ever, but they have had to forego vacations and a new car so that they can pay off student loans and save for retirement. Friday night pizza, that is a big splurge. Basic childcare for Jack and Henry costs more than their mortgage and almost as much as a year at the University of Minnesota. Like millions of hard-working Americans, Rebekah is not asking for a handout, but she is asking that we look for more ways to help families get ahead. And in fact, at every moment of economic change throughout our history, this country has taken bold action to adapt to new circumstances and to make sure everyone gets a fair shot. We set up worker protections, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid to protect ourselves from the harshest adversity. We gave our citizens schools and colleges, infrastructure and the Internet, tools they needed to go as far as their efforts and their dreams will take them. That is what middle class economics is: the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, everyone plays by the same set of rules. We do not just want everyone to share in America's success, we want everyone to contribute to our success. So what does middle class economics require in our time? First, middle class economics means helping working families feel more secure in a world of constant change. That means helping folks afford childcare, college, health care, a home, retirement. And my budget will address each of these issues, lowering the taxes of working families and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year. Here is one example. During World War II, when men like my grandfather went off to war, having women like my grandmother in the workforce was a national security priority, so this country provided universal childcare. In today's economy, when having both parents in the workforce is an economic necessity for many families, we need affordable, high-quality childcare more than ever. It is not a nice-to-have, it is a must-have. So it is time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or as a women's issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that is why my plan will make quality childcare more available and more affordable for every middle class and low-income family with young children in America, by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year. Here is another example. Today, we are the only advanced country on Earth that does not guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers. Forty-three million workers have no paid sick leave—43 million. Think about that. And that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home. So I will be taking new action to help States adopt paid leave laws of their own. And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November, let us put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn 7 days of paid sick leave. It is the right thing to do. [ ] It is the right thing to do. Of course, nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages. That is why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. I mean, it is 2015. [ ] It is time. We still need to make sure employees get the overtime they have earned. And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this: If you truly believe you could work full time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest working people in America a raise. Now, these ideas will not make everybody rich, will not relieve every hardship. That is not the job of government. To give working families a fair shot, we still need more employers to see beyond next quarter's earnings and recognize that investing in their workforce is in their company's long-term interest. We still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions, and give American workers a voice. But you know, things like childcare and sick leave and equal pay, things like lower mortgage premiums and a higher minimum wage—these ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families. That is a fact. And that is what all of us, Republicans and Democrats alike, were sent here to do. Now, second, to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help Americans upgrade their skills. America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college, trained the best workforce in the world. We were ahead of the curve. But other countries caught on. And in a 21st-century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to up our game. We need to do more. By the end of this decade, two in three job openings will require some higher education—two in three. And yet we still live in a country where too many bright, striving Americans are priced out of the education they need. It is not fair to them, and it is sure not smart for our future. And that is why I am sending this Congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college to zero. Keep in mind, 40 percent of our college students choose community college. Some are young and starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job. Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market. Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy without a load of debt. Understand, you have got to earn it. You have got to keep your grades up and graduate on time. Tennessee, a State with Republican leadership, and Chicago, a city with Democratic leadership, are showing that free community college is possible. I want to spread that idea all across America so that 2 years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today. Let us stay ahead of the curve. And I want to work with this Congress to make sure those already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments so that student debt does not derail anyone's dreams. Thanks to Vice President Biden's great work to update our job training system, we are connecting community colleges with local employers to train workers to fill high-paying jobs like coding and nursing and robotics. Tonight I am also asking more businesses to follow the lead of companies like CVS and UPS and offer more educational benefits and paid apprenticeships, opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher paying jobs even if they do not have a higher education. And as a new generation of veterans comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the American Dream they helped defend. Already, we have made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care. We are slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need. And we are making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs. And Joining Forces, the national campaign launched by Michelle and Jill Biden—[ ]—thank you, Michelle; thank you, Jill—has helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses get a new job. So to every CEO in America, let me repeat: If you want somebody who is going to get the job done and done right, hire a veteran. Finally, as we better train our workers, we need the new economy to keep churning out high-wage jobs for our workers to fill. Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and all advanced economies combined. Our manufacturers have added almost 800,000 new jobs. Some of our bedrock sectors, like our auto industry, are booming. But there are also millions of Americans who work in jobs that did not even exist 10 or 20 years ago, jobs at companies like Google and eBay and Tesla. So no one knows for certain which industries will generate the jobs of the future. But we do know we want them here in America. We know that. And that is why the third part of middle class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire. Twenty-first century businesses need 21st-century infrastructure: modern ports and stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest Internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let us set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let us pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come. Let us do it. Let us get it done. [ ] Let us get it done. Twenty-first century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. Today, our businesses export more than ever, and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. But as we speak, China wants to write the rules for the world's fastest growing region. That would put our workers and our businesses at a disadvantage. Why would we let that happen? We should write those rules. We should level the playing field. And that is why I am asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers, with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe that are not just free, but are also fair. It is the right thing to do. Look, I am the first one to admit that past trade deals have not always lived up to the hype, and that is why we have gone after countries that break the rules at our expense. But 95 percent of the world's customers live outside our borders. We cannot close ourselves off from those opportunities. More than half of manufacturing executives have said they are actively looking to bring jobs back from China. So let us give them one more reason to get it done. Twenty-first century businesses will rely on American science and technology, research and development. I want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine, one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. In some patients with cystic fibrosis, this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable. So tonight I am launching a new precision medicine initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier. We can do this. I intend to protect a free and open Internet, extend its reach to every classroom and every community and help folks build the fastest networks so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world. I want Americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs: converting sunlight into liquid fuel; creating revolutionary prosthetics so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kids again; pushing out into the solar system not just to visit, but to stay. Last month, we launched a new spacecraft as part of a reenergized space program that will send American astronauts to Mars. And in 2 months, to prepare us for those missions, Scott Kelly will begin a year-long stay in space. So good luck, Captain. Make sure to Instagram it. We are proud of you. Now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there is bipartisan support in this Chamber. Members of both parties have told me so. Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. As Americans, we do not mind paying our fair share of taxes as long as everybody else does too. But for far too long, lobbyists have rigged the Tax Code with loopholes that let some corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight. They have riddled it with giveaways that the super-rich do not need, while denying a break to middle class families who do. This year, we have an opportunity to change that. Let us close loopholes so we stop rewarding companies that keep profits abroad and reward those that invest here in America. Let us use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and to make it more attractive for companies to bring jobs home. Let us simplify the system and let a small-business owner file based on her actual bank statement, instead of the number of accountants she can afford. And let us close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top 1 percent to avoid paying taxes on their accumulated wealth. We can use that money to help more families pay for childcare and send their kids to college. We need a Tax Code that truly helps working Americans trying to get a leg up in the new economy, and we can achieve that together. [ ] We can achieve it together. Helping hard-working families make ends meet, giving them the tools they need for good-paying jobs in this new economy, maintaining the conditions of growth and competitiveness—this is where America needs to go. I believe it is where the American people want to go. It will make our economy stronger a year from now, 15 years from now, and deep into the century ahead. Of course, if there is one thing this new century has taught us, it is that we cannot separate our work here at home from challenges beyond our shores. My first duty as Commander in Chief is to defend the United States of America. In doing so, the question is not whether America leads in the world, but how. When we make rash decisions, reacting to the headlines instead of using our heads, when the first response to a challenge is to send in our military, then we risk getting drawn into unnecessary conflicts and neglect the broader strategy we need for a safer, more prosperous world. That is what our enemies want us to do. I believe in a smarter kind of American leadership. We lead best when we combine military power with strong diplomacy, when we leverage our power with coalition building, when we do not let our fears blind us to the opportunities that this new century presents. That is exactly what we are doing right now. And around the globe, it is making a difference. First, we stand united with people around the world who have been targeted by terrorists, from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris. We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we have done relentlessly since I took office, to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies. At the same time, we have learned some costly lessons over the last 13 years. Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, we have trained their security forces, who have now taken the lead, and we have honored our troops' sacrifice by supporting that country's first democratic transition. Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we are partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America. In Iraq and Syria, American leadership—including our military power—is stopping ISIL's advance. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group. We are also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. Now, this effort will take time. It will require focus. But we will succeed. And tonight I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL. We need that authority. Second, we are demonstrating the power of American strength and diplomacy. We are upholding the principle that bigger nations cannot bully the small, by opposing Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine's democracy and reassuring our NATO allies. Last year, as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies, as we were reinforcing our presence with frontline states, Mr. Putin's aggression, it was suggested, was a masterful display of strategy and strength. That is what I heard from some folks. [ ] Well, today, it is America that stands strong and united with our allies, while Russia is isolated with its economy in tatters. That is how America leads: not with bluster, but with persistent, steady resolve. In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date. When what you are doing does not work for 50 years, it is time to try something new. [ ] And our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere. It removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba. It stands up for democratic values and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people. And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo. As His Holiness Pope Francis has said, diplomacy is the work of "small steps." And these small steps have added up to new hope for the future in Cuba. And after years in prison, we are overjoyed that Alan Gross is back where he belongs. Welcome home, Alan. We are glad you are here. Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we have halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material. Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran, secures America and our allies, including Israel, while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict. There are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran. But new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails: alienating America from its allies, making it harder to maintain sanctions, and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again. It does not make sense. And that is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress. The American people expect us only to go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom. Third, we are looking beyond the issues that have consumed us in the past to shape the coming century. No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids. So we are making sure our Government integrates intelligence to combat cyber threats, just as we have done to combat terrorism. And tonight I urge this Congress to finally pass the legislation we need to better meet the evolving threat of cyber attacks, combat identity theft, and protect our children's information. That should be a bipartisan effort. If we do not act, we will leave our Nation and our economy vulnerable. If we do, we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe. In West Africa, our troops, our scientists, our doctors, our nurses, our health care workers are rolling back Ebola, saving countless lives and stopping the spread of disease. I could not be prouder of them, and I thank this Congress for your bipartisan support of their efforts. But the job is not yet done, and the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effective global effort to prevent the spread of future pandemics, invest in smart development, and eradicate extreme poverty. In the Asia-Pacific, we are modernizing alliances while making sure that other nations play by the rules: in how they trade, how they resolve maritime disputes, how they participate in meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation and disaster relief. And no challenge—no challenge—poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change. Two thousand fourteen was the planet's warmest year on record. Now, 1 year does not make a trend, but this does: 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century. Now, I have heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they are not scientists, that we do not have enough information to act. Well, I am not a scientist, either. But you know what, I know a lot of really good scientists—[ ]—at NASA and at NOAA and at our major universities. And the best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we will continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration and conflict and hunger around the globe. The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it. And that is why, over the past 6 years, we have done more than ever to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy to the way we use it. That is why we have set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history. And that is why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts. I am determined to make sure that American leadership drives international action. In Beijing, we made a historic announcement: The United States will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution. And China committed, for the first time, to limiting their emissions. And because the world's two largest economies came together, other nations are now stepping up and offering hope that this year the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we have got. And there is one last pillar of our leadership, and that is the example of our values. As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we are threatened, which is why I have prohibited torture and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It is why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It is why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims, the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That is why we defend free speech and advocate for political prisoners and condemn the persecution of women or religious minorities or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they are the right thing to do, but because ultimately, they will make us safer. As Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice. So it makes no sense to spend $3 million per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit. Since I have been President, we have worked responsibly to cut the population of Gitmo in half. Now it is time to finish the job. And I will not relent in my determination to shut it down. It is not who we are. It is time to close Gitmo. As Americans, we cherish our civil liberties, and we need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks. So while some have moved on from the debates over our surveillance programs, I have not. As promised, our intelligence agencies have worked hard, with the recommendations of privacy advocates, to increase transparency and build more safeguards against potential abuse. And next month, we will issue a report on how we are keeping our promise to keep our country safe while strengthening privacy. Looking to the future instead of the past, making sure we match our power with diplomacy and use force wisely, building coalitions to meet new challenges and opportunities, leading always with the example of our values—that is what makes us exceptional. That is what keeps us strong. That is why we have to keep striving to hold ourselves to the highest of standards: our own. You know, just over a decade ago, I gave a speech in Boston where I said there was not a liberal America or a conservative America, a Black America or a White America, but a United States of America. I said this because I had seen it in my own life, in a nation that gave someone like me a chance; because I grew up in Hawaii, a melting pot of races and customs; because I made Illinois my home, a State of small towns, rich farmland, one of the world's great cities, a microcosm of the country where Democrats and Republicans and Independents, good people of every ethnicity and every faith, share certain bedrock values. Over the past 6 years, the pundits have pointed out more than once that my Presidency has not delivered on this vision. How ironic, they say, that our politics seems more divided than ever. It is held up as proof not just of my own flaws—of which there are many—but also as proof that the vision itself is misguided, naive, that there are too many people in this town who actually benefit from partisanship and gridlock for us to ever do anything about it. I know how tempting such cynicism may be. But I still think the cynics are wrong. I still believe that we are one people. I still believe that together, we can do great things, even when the odds are long. I believe this because over and over in my 6 years in office, I have seen America at its best. I have seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from New York to California and our newest officers at West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, New London. I have mourned with grieving families in Tucson and Newtown, in Boston, in West, Texas, and West Virginia. I have watched Americans beat back adversity from the Gulf Coast to the Great Plains, from Midwest assembly lines to the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. I have seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legal in States that 7 in 10 Americans call home. So I know the good and optimistic and big-hearted generosity of the American people who every day live the idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. And I know they expect those of us who serve here to set a better example. So the question for those of us here tonight is how we, all of us, can better reflect America's hopes. I have served in Congress with many of you. I know many of you well. There are a lot of good people here on both sides of the aisle. And many of you have told me that this is not what you signed up for: arguing past each other on cable shows, the constant fundraising, always looking over your shoulder at how the base will react to every decision. Imagine if we broke out of these tired old patterns. Imagine if we did something different. Understand, a better politics is not one where Democrats abandon their agenda or Republicans simply embrace mine. A better politics is one where we appeal to each other's basic decency instead of our basest fears. A better politics is one where we debate without demonizing each other, where we talk issues and values and principles and facts rather than "gotcha" moments or trivial gaffes or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people's daily lives. A politics—a better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter and spend more time lifting young people up with a sense of purpose and possibility, asking them to join in the great mission of building America. If we are going to have arguments, let us have arguments, but let us make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country. We still may not agree on a woman's right to choose, but surely we can agree it is a good thing that teen pregnancies and abortions are nearing alltime lows and that every woman should have access to the health care that she needs. Yes, passions still fly on immigration, but surely we can all see something of ourselves in the striving young student and agree that no one benefits when a hard-working mom is snatched from her child and that it is possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. I have talked to Republicans and Democrats about that. That is something that we can share. We may go at it in campaign season, but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred, that it is being denied to too many, and that on this 50th anniversary of the great march from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights Act, we can come together, Democrats and Republicans, to make voting easier for every single American. We may have different takes on the events of Ferguson and New York. But surely we can understand a father who fears his son cannot walk home without being harassed. And surely we can understand the wife who will not rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift. And surely we can agree that it is a good thing that for the first time in 40 years, the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together, and use that as a starting point for Democrats and Republicans, community leaders and law enforcement, to reform America's criminal justice system so that it protects and serves all of us. That is a better politics. That is how we start rebuilding trust. That is how we move this country forward. That is what the American people want. And that is what they deserve. I have no more campaigns to run. [ ] My only agenda—[ ]. . [ ] I know because I won both of them. [ ] My only agenda for the next 2 years is the same as the one I have had since the day I swore an oath on the steps of this Capitol: to do what I believe is best for America. If you share the broad vision I outlined tonight, I ask you to join me in the work at hand. If you disagree with parts of it, I hope you will at least work with me where you do agree. And I commit to every Republican here tonight that I will not only seek out your ideas, I will seek to work with you to make this country stronger. Because I want this Chamber, I want this city to reflect the truth: that for all our blind spots and shortcomings, we are a people with the strength and generosity of spirit to bridge divides, to unite in common effort, to help our neighbors, whether down the street or on the other side of the world. I want our actions to tell every child in every neighborhood, your life matters, and we are committed to improving your life chances, as committed as we are to working on behalf of our own kids. I want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift, that we are a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen: man and woman, young and old, Black and White, Latino, Asian, immigrant, Native American, gay, straight, Americans with mental illness or physical disability. Everybody matters. I want them to grow up in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true: that we are still more than a collection of red States and blue States, that we are the United States of America. I want them to grow up in a country where a young mom can sit down and write a letter to her President with a story that sums up these past 6 years: "It is amazing what you can bounce back from when you have to. . . . We are a strong, tight-knit family who is made it through some very, very hard times." My fellow Americans, we too are a strong, tight-knit family. We too have made it through some hard times. Fifteen years into this new century, we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and begun again the work of remaking America. We have laid a new foundation. A brighter future is ours to write. Let us begin this new chapter together, and let us start the work right now. Thank you. God bless you. God bless this country we love. Thank you.
speaker vice president members of congress my fellow americans we are 15 years into this new century fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world it has been and still is a hard time for many but tonight we turn the page tonight after a breakthrough year for america our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999 our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis more of our kids are graduating than ever before more of our people are insured than ever before and we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we have been in almost 30 years tonight for the first time since our combat mission in afghanistan is over six years ago nearly american troops served in iraq and afghanistan today fewer than remain and we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this generation who has served to keep us safe we are humbled and grateful for your service america for all that we have endured for all the grit and hard work required to come back for all the tasks that lie ahead know this the shadow of crisis has passed and the state of the union is strong at this a growing economy shrinking deficits bustling industry booming energy have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on earth it is now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next 15 years and for decades to come will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort will we approach the world fearful and reactive dragged into costly conflicts that strain our military and set back our standing or will we lead wisely using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled america forward in 2 weeks i will send this congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical not partisan and in the months ahead i will crisscross the country making a case for those ideas so tonight i want to focus less on a checklist of proposals and focus more on the values at stake in the choices before us it begins with our economy seven years ago rebekah and ben erler of minneapolis were newlyweds she waited tables he worked construction their first child jack was on the way they were young and in love in america and it does not get much better than that if only we had known rebekah wrote to me last spring what was about to happen to the housing and construction market as the crisis worsened ben business dried up so he took what jobs he could find even if they kept him on the road for long stretches of time rebekah took out student loans and enrolled in community college and retrained for a new career they sacrificed for each other and slowly it paid off they bought their first home they had a second son henry rebekah got a better job and then a raise ben is back in construction and home for dinner every night it is amazing rebekah wrote what you can bounce back from when you have to we are a strong family who has made it through some very very hard times we are a strong family who has made it through some very very hard times america rebekah and ben story is our story they represent the millions who have worked hard and scrimped and sacrificed and retooled you are the reason that i ran for this office you are the people i was thinking of 6 years ago today in the darkest months of the crisis when i stood on the steps of this capitol and promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation and it has been your resilience your effort that has made it possible for our country to emerge stronger we believed we could reverse the tide of outsourcing and draw new jobs to our shores and over the past 5 years our businesses have created more than 11 million new jobs we believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet and today america is number one in oil and gas america is number one in wind power every 3 weeks we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008 and thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards the typical family this year should save about 750 at the pump we believed we could prepare our kids for a more competitive world and today our younger students have earned the highest math and reading scores on record our high school graduation rate has hit an alltime high more americans finish college than ever before we believed that sensible regulations could prevent another crisis shield families from ruin and encourage fair competition today we have new tools to stop bailouts and a new consumer watchdog to protect us from predatory lending and abusive credit card practices and in the past year alone about 10 million uninsured americans finally gained the security of health coverage at every step we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious that we would crush jobs and explode deficits instead we have seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade our deficits cut by a stock market that has doubled and health care inflation at its lowest rate in 50 years this is good news people so the verdict is clear middle class economics works expanding opportunity works and these policies will continue to work as long as politics do not get in the way we can not slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns we can not put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on wall street or refighting past battles on immigration when we have got to fix a broken system and if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things i will veto it it will have earned my veto today thanks to a growing economy the recovery is touching more and more lives wages are finally starting to rise again we know that more owners plan to raise their employees pay than at any time since 2007 but here is the thing those of us here tonight we need to set our sights higher than just making sure government does not screw things government does not halt the progress we are making we need to do more than just do no harm tonight together let us do more to restore the link between hard work and growing opportunity for every american because families like rebekah still need our help she and ben are working as hard as ever but they have had to forego vacations and a new car so that they can pay off student loans and save for retirement friday night pizza that is a big splurge basic childcare for jack and henry costs more than their mortgage and almost as much as a year at the university of minnesota like millions of americans rebekah is not asking for a handout but she is asking that we look for more ways to help families get ahead and in fact at every moment of economic change throughout our history this country has taken bold action to adapt to new circumstances and to make sure everyone gets a fair shot we set up worker protections social security medicare medicaid to protect ourselves from the harshest adversity we gave our citizens schools and colleges infrastructure and the internet tools they needed to go as far as their efforts and their dreams will take them that is what middle class economics is the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot everyone does their fair share everyone plays by the same set of rules we do not just want everyone to share in america success we want everyone to contribute to our success so what does middle class economics require in our time first middle class economics means helping working families feel more secure in a world of constant change that means helping folks afford childcare college health care a home retirement and my budget will address each of these issues lowering the taxes of working families and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year here is one example during world war ii when men like my grandfather went off to war having women like my grandmother in the workforce was a national security priority so this country provided universal childcare in today economy when having both parents in the workforce is an economic necessity for many families we need affordable childcare more than ever it is not a it is a so it is time we stop treating childcare as a side issue or as a women issue and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us and that is why my plan will make quality childcare more available and more affordable for every middle class and family with young children in america by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to per child per year here is another example today we are the only advanced country on earth that does not guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers million workers have no paid sick million think about that and that forces too many parents to make the choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home so i will be taking new action to help states adopt paid leave laws of their own and since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last november let us put it to a vote right here in washington send me a bill that gives every worker in america the opportunity to earn 7 days of paid sick leave it is the right thing to do it is the right thing to do of course nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages that is why this congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work i mean it is 2015 it is time we still need to make sure employees get the overtime they have earned and to everyone in this congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage i say this if you truly believe you could work full time and support a family on less than a year try it if not vote to give millions of the hardest working people in america a raise now these ideas will not make everybody rich will not relieve every hardship that is not the job of government to give working families a fair shot we still need more employers to see beyond next quarter earnings and recognize that investing in their workforce is in their company interest we still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions and give american workers a voice but you know things like childcare and sick leave and equal pay things like lower mortgage premiums and a higher minimum ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families that is a fact and that is what all of us republicans and democrats alike were sent here to do now second to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road we have to do more to help americans upgrade their skills america thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free sent a generation of gis to college trained the best workforce in the world we were ahead of the curve but other countries caught on and in a economy that rewards knowledge like never before we need to up our game we need to do more by the end of this decade two in three job openings will require some higher in three and yet we still live in a country where too many bright striving americans are priced out of the education they need it is not fair to them and it is sure not smart for our future and that is why i am sending this congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college to zero keep in mind 40 percent of our college students choose community college some are young and starting out some are older and looking for a better job some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market whoever you are this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy without a load of debt understand you have got to earn it you have got to keep your grades up and graduate on time tennessee a state with republican leadership and chicago a city with democratic leadership are showing that free community college is possible i want to spread that idea all across america so that 2 years of college becomes as free and universal in america as high school is today let us stay ahead of the curve and i want to work with this congress to make sure those already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments so that student debt does not derail anyone dreams thanks to vice president biden great work to update our job training system we are connecting community colleges with local employers to train workers to fill jobs like coding and nursing and robotics tonight i am also asking more businesses to follow the lead of companies like cvs and ups and offer more educational benefits and paid apprenticeships opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher paying jobs even if they do not have a higher education and as a new generation of veterans comes home we owe them every opportunity to live the american dream they helped defend already we have made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care we are slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need and we are making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs and joining forces the national campaign launched by michelle and jill you michelle thank you helped nearly veterans and military spouses get a new job so to every ceo in america let me repeat if you want somebody who is going to get the job done and done right hire a veteran finally as we better train our workers we need the new economy to keep churning out jobs for our workers to fill since 2010 america has put more people back to work than europe japan and all advanced economies combined our manufacturers have added almost new jobs some of our bedrock sectors like our auto industry are booming but there are also millions of americans who work in jobs that did not even exist 10 or 20 years ago jobs at companies like google and ebay and tesla so no one knows for certain which industries will generate the jobs of the future but we do know we want them here in america we know that and that is why the third part of middle class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere the place where businesses want to locate and hire century businesses need infrastructure modern ports and stronger bridges faster trains and the fastest internet democrats and republicans used to agree on this so let us set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline let us pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come let us do it let us get it done let us get it done century businesses including small businesses need to sell more american products overseas today our businesses export more than ever and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages but as we speak china wants to write the rules for the world fastest growing region that would put our workers and our businesses at a disadvantage why would we let that happen we should write those rules we should level the playing field and that is why i am asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect american workers with strong new trade deals from asia to europe that are not just free but are also fair it is the right thing to do look i am the first one to admit that past trade deals have not always lived up to the hype and that is why we have gone after countries that break the rules at our expense but 95 percent of the world customers live outside our borders we can not close ourselves off from those opportunities more than half of manufacturing executives have said they are actively looking to bring jobs back from china so let us give them one more reason to get it done century businesses will rely on american science and technology research and development i want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine one that delivers the right treatment at the right time in some patients with cystic fibrosis this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable so tonight i am launching a new precision medicine initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier we can do this i intend to protect a free and open internet extend its reach to every classroom and every community and help folks build the fastest networks so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world i want americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs converting sunlight into liquid fuel creating revolutionary prosthetics so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kids again pushing out into the solar system not just to visit but to stay last month we launched a new spacecraft as part of a reenergized space program that will send american astronauts to mars and in 2 months to prepare us for those missions scott kelly will begin a stay in space so good luck captain make sure to instagram it we are proud of you now the truth is when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research i know there is bipartisan support in this chamber members of both parties have told me so where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments as americans we do not mind paying our fair share of taxes as long as everybody else does too but for far too long lobbyists have rigged the tax code with loopholes that let some corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight they have riddled it with giveaways that the do not need while denying a break to middle class families who do this year we have an opportunity to change that let us close loopholes so we stop rewarding companies that keep profits abroad and reward those that invest here in america let us use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and to make it more attractive for companies to bring jobs home let us simplify the system and let a owner file based on her actual bank statement instead of the number of accountants she can afford and let us close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top 1 percent to avoid paying taxes on their accumulated wealth we can use that money to help more families pay for childcare and send their kids to college we need a tax code that truly helps working americans trying to get a leg up in the new economy and we can achieve that together we can achieve it together helping families make ends meet giving them the tools they need for jobs in this new economy maintaining the conditions of growth and is where america needs to go i believe it is where the american people want to go it will make our economy stronger a year from now 15 years from now and deep into the century ahead of course if there is one thing this new century has taught us it is that we can not separate our work here at home from challenges beyond our shores my first duty as commander in chief is to defend the united states of america in doing so the question is not whether america leads in the world but how when we make rash decisions reacting to the headlines instead of using our heads when the first response to a challenge is to send in our military then we risk getting drawn into unnecessary conflicts and neglect the broader strategy we need for a safer more prosperous world that is what our enemies want us to do i believe in a smarter kind of american leadership we lead best when we combine military power with strong diplomacy when we leverage our power with coalition building when we do not let our fears blind us to the opportunities that this new century presents that is exactly what we are doing right now and around the globe it is making a difference first we stand united with people around the world who have been targeted by terrorists from a school in pakistan to the streets of paris we will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks and we reserve the right to act unilaterally as we have done relentlessly since i took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies at the same time we have learned some costly lessons over the last 13 years instead of americans patrolling the valleys of afghanistan we have trained their security forces who have now taken the lead and we have honored our troops sacrifice by supporting that country first democratic transition instead of sending large ground forces overseas we are partnering with nations from south asia to north africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten america in iraq and syria american our military stopping isil advance instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the middle east we are leading a broad coalition including arab nations to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group we are also supporting a moderate opposition in syria that can help us in this effort and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism now this effort will take time it will require focus but we will succeed and tonight i call on this congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against isil we need that authority second we are demonstrating the power of american strength and diplomacy we are upholding the principle that bigger nations can not bully the small by opposing russian aggression and supporting ukraine democracy and reassuring our nato allies last year as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies as we were reinforcing our presence with frontline states putin aggression it was suggested was a masterful display of strategy and strength that is what i heard from some folks well today it is america that stands strong and united with our allies while russia is isolated with its economy in tatters that is how america leads not with bluster but with persistent steady resolve in cuba we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date when what you are doing does not work for 50 years it is time to try something new and our shift in cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere it removes a phony excuse for restrictions in cuba it stands up for democratic values and extends the hand of friendship to the cuban people and this year congress should begin the work of ending the embargo as his holiness pope francis has said diplomacy is the work of small steps and these small steps have added up to new hope for the future in cuba and after years in prison we are overjoyed that alan gross is back where he belongs welcome home alan we are glad you are here our diplomacy is at work with respect to iran where for the first time in a decade we have halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material between now and this spring we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a iran secures america and our allies including israel while avoiding yet another middle east conflict there are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed and i keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear iran but new sanctions passed by this congress at this moment in time will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails alienating america from its allies making it harder to maintain sanctions and ensuring that iran starts up its nuclear program again it does not make sense and that is why i will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress the american people expect us only to go to war as a last resort and i intend to stay true to that wisdom third we are looking beyond the issues that have consumed us in the past to shape the coming century no foreign nation no hacker should be able to shut down our networks steal our trade secrets or invade the privacy of american families especially our kids so we are making sure our government integrates intelligence to combat cyber threats just as we have done to combat terrorism and tonight i urge this congress to finally pass the legislation we need to better meet the evolving threat of cyber attacks combat identity theft and protect our children information that should be a bipartisan effort if we do not act we will leave our nation and our economy vulnerable if we do we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe in west africa our troops our scientists our doctors our nurses our health care workers are rolling back ebola saving countless lives and stopping the spread of disease i could not be prouder of them and i thank this congress for your bipartisan support of their efforts but the job is not yet done and the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effective global effort to prevent the spread of future pandemics invest in smart development and eradicate extreme poverty in the we are modernizing alliances while making sure that other nations play by the rules in how they trade how they resolve maritime disputes how they participate in meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation and disaster relief and no a greater threat to future generations than climate change two thousand fourteen was the planet warmest year on record now 1 year does not make a trend but this does 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century now i have heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they are not scientists that we do not have enough information to act well i am not a scientist either but you know what i know a lot of really good nasa and at noaa and at our major universities and the best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate and if we do not act forcefully we will continue to see rising oceans longer hotter heat waves dangerous droughts and floods and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration and conflict and hunger around the globe the pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security we should act like it and that is why over the past 6 years we have done more than ever to combat climate change from the way we produce energy to the way we use it that is why we have set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history and that is why i will not let this congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts i am determined to make sure that american leadership drives international action in beijing we made a historic announcement the united states will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution and china committed for the first time to limiting their emissions and because the world two largest economies came together other nations are now stepping up and offering hope that this year the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we have got and there is one last pillar of our leadership and that is the example of our values as americans we respect human dignity even when we are threatened which is why i have prohibited torture and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained it is why we speak out against the deplorable that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world it is why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of muslims the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace that is why we defend free speech and advocate for political prisoners and condemn the persecution of women or religious minorities or people who are lesbian gay bisexual or transgender we do these things not only because they are the right thing to do but because ultimately they will make us safer as americans we have a profound commitment to justice so it makes no sense to spend 3 million per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit since i have been president we have worked responsibly to cut the population of gitmo in half now it is time to finish the job and i will not relent in my determination to shut it down it is not who we are it is time to close gitmo as americans we cherish our civil liberties and we need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks so while some have moved on from the debates over our surveillance programs i have not as promised our intelligence agencies have worked hard with the recommendations of privacy advocates to increase transparency and build more safeguards against potential abuse and next month we will issue a report on how we are keeping our promise to keep our country safe while strengthening privacy looking to the future instead of the past making sure we match our power with diplomacy and use force wisely building coalitions to meet new challenges and opportunities leading always with the example of our is what makes us exceptional that is what keeps us strong that is why we have to keep striving to hold ourselves to the highest of standards our own you know just over a decade ago i gave a speech in boston where i said there was not a liberal america or a conservative america a black america or a white america but a united states of america i said this because i had seen it in my own life in a nation that gave someone like me a chance because i grew up in hawaii a melting pot of races and customs because i made illinois my home a state of small towns rich farmland one of the world great cities a microcosm of the country where democrats and republicans and independents good people of every ethnicity and every faith share certain bedrock values over the past 6 years the pundits have pointed out more than once that my presidency has not delivered on this vision how ironic they say that our politics seems more divided than ever it is held up as proof not just of my own which there are also as proof that the vision itself is misguided naive that there are too many people in this town who actually benefit from partisanship and gridlock for us to ever do anything about it i know how tempting such cynicism may be but i still think the cynics are wrong i still believe that we are one people i still believe that together we can do great things even when the odds are long i believe this because over and over in my 6 years in office i have seen america at its best i have seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from new york to california and our newest officers at west point annapolis colorado springs new london i have mourned with grieving families in tucson and newtown in boston in west texas and west virginia i have watched americans beat back adversity from the gulf coast to the great plains from midwest assembly lines to the seaboard i have seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom across our country a civil right now legal in states that 7 in 10 americans call home so i know the good and optimistic and generosity of the american people who every day live the idea that we are our brother keeper and our sister keeper and i know they expect those of us who serve here to set a better example so the question for those of us here tonight is how we all of us can better reflect america hopes i have served in congress with many of you i know many of you well there are a lot of good people here on both sides of the aisle and many of you have told me that this is not what you signed up for arguing past each other on cable shows the constant fundraising always looking over your shoulder at how the base will react to every decision imagine if we broke out of these tired old patterns imagine if we did something different understand a better politics is not one where democrats abandon their agenda or republicans simply embrace mine a better politics is one where we appeal to each other basic decency instead of our basest fears a better politics is one where we debate without demonizing each other where we talk issues and values and principles and facts rather than gotcha moments or trivial gaffes or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people daily lives a better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter and spend more time lifting young people up with a sense of purpose and possibility asking them to join in the great mission of building america if we are going to have arguments let us have arguments but let us make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country we still may not agree on a woman right to choose but surely we can agree it is a good thing that teen pregnancies and abortions are nearing alltime lows and that every woman should have access to the health care that she needs yes passions still fly on immigration but surely we can all see something of ourselves in the striving young student and agree that no one benefits when a mom is snatched from her child and that it is possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants i have talked to republicans and democrats about that that is something that we can share we may go at it in campaign season but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred that it is being denied to too many and that on this 50th anniversary of the great march from selma to montgomery and the passage of the voting rights act we can come together democrats and republicans to make voting easier for every single american we may have different takes on the events of ferguson and new york but surely we can understand a father who fears his son can not walk home without being harassed and surely we can understand the wife who will not rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift and surely we can agree that it is a good thing that for the first time in 40 years the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together and use that as a starting point for democrats and republicans community leaders and law enforcement to reform america criminal justice system so that it protects and serves all of us that is a better politics that is how we start rebuilding trust that is how we move this country forward that is what the american people want and that is what they deserve i have no more campaigns to run my only i know because i won both of them my only agenda for the next 2 years is the same as the one i have had since the day i swore an oath on the steps of this capitol to do what i believe is best for america if you share the broad vision i outlined tonight i ask you to join me in the work at hand if you disagree with parts of it i hope you will at least work with me where you do agree and i commit to every republican here tonight that i will not only seek out your ideas i will seek to work with you to make this country stronger because i want this chamber i want this city to reflect the truth that for all our blind spots and shortcomings we are a people with the strength and generosity of spirit to bridge divides to unite in common effort to help our neighbors whether down the street or on the other side of the world i want our actions to tell every child in every neighborhood your life matters and we are committed to improving your life chances as committed as we are to working on behalf of our own kids i want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift that we are a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen man and woman young and old black and white latino asian immigrant native american gay straight americans with mental illness or physical disability everybody matters i want them to grow up in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true that we are still more than a collection of red states and blue states that we are the united states of america i want them to grow up in a country where a young mom can sit down and write a letter to her president with a story that sums up these past 6 years it is amazing what you can bounce back from when you have to we are a strong family who is made it through some very very hard times my fellow americans we too are a strong family we too have made it through some hard times fifteen years into this new century we have picked ourselves up dusted ourselves off and begun again the work of remaking america we have laid a new foundation a brighter future is ours to write let us begin this new chapter together and let us start the work right now thank you god bless you god bless this country we love thank you
speaker vice president members congress fellow americans 15 years new century fifteen years dawned terror touching shores unfolded new generation fighting two long costly wars saw vicious recession spread across nation world still hard time many tonight turn page tonight breakthrough year america economy growing creating jobs fastest pace since 1999 unemployment rate lower financial crisis kids graduating ever people insured ever free grip foreign oil almost 30 years tonight first time since combat mission afghanistan six years ago nearly american troops served iraq afghanistan today fewer remain salute courage sacrifice every man woman generation served keep us safe humbled grateful service america endured grit hard work required come back tasks lie ahead know shadow crisis passed state union strong growing economy shrinking deficits bustling industry booming energy risen recession freer write future nation earth us choose want next 15 years decades come accept economy us spectacularly well commit economy generates rising incomes chances everyone makes effort approach world fearful reactive dragged costly conflicts strain military set back standing lead wisely using elements power defeat new threats protect planet allow sorted factions turned one another recapture sense common purpose always propelled america forward 2 weeks send congress budget filled ideas practical partisan months ahead crisscross country making case ideas tonight want focus less checklist proposals focus values stake choices us begins economy seven years ago rebekah ben erler minneapolis newlyweds waited tables worked construction first child jack way young love america get much better known rebekah wrote last spring happen housing construction market crisis worsened ben business dried took jobs could find even kept road long stretches time rebekah took student loans enrolled community college retrained new career sacrificed slowly paid bought first home second son henry rebekah got better job raise ben back construction home dinner every night amazing rebekah wrote bounce back strong family made hard times strong family made hard times america rebekah ben story story represent millions worked hard scrimped sacrificed retooled reason ran office people thinking 6 years ago today darkest months crisis stood steps capitol promised would rebuild economy new foundation resilience effort made possible country emerge stronger believed could reverse tide outsourcing draw new jobs shores past 5 years businesses created 11 million new jobs believed could reduce dependence foreign oil protect planet today america number one oil gas america number one wind power every 3 weeks bring online much solar power 2008 thanks lower gas prices higher fuel standards typical family year save 750 pump believed could prepare kids competitive world today younger students earned highest math reading scores record high school graduation rate hit alltime high americans finish college ever believed sensible regulations could prevent another crisis shield families ruin encourage fair competition today new tools stop bailouts new consumer watchdog protect us predatory lending abusive credit card practices past year alone 10 million uninsured americans finally gained security health coverage every step told goals misguided ambitious would crush jobs explode deficits instead seen fastest economic growth decade deficits cut stock market doubled health care inflation lowest rate 50 years good news people verdict clear middle class economics works expanding opportunity works policies continue work long politics get way slow businesses put economy risk government shutdowns fiscal showdowns put security families risk taking away health insurance unraveling new rules wall street refighting past battles immigration got fix broken system bill comes desk tries things veto earned veto today thanks growing economy recovery touching lives wages finally starting rise know owners plan raise employees pay time since 2007 thing us tonight need set sights higher making sure government screw things government halt progress making need harm tonight together let us restore link hard work growing opportunity every american families like rebekah still need help ben working hard ever forego vacations new car pay student loans save retirement friday night pizza big splurge basic childcare jack henry costs mortgage almost much year university minnesota like millions americans rebekah asking handout asking look ways help families get ahead fact every moment economic change throughout history country taken bold action adapt new circumstances make sure everyone gets fair shot set worker protections social security medicare medicaid protect harshest adversity gave citizens schools colleges infrastructure internet tools needed go far efforts dreams take middle class economics idea country best everyone gets fair shot everyone fair share everyone plays set rules want everyone share america success want everyone contribute success middle class economics require time first middle class economics means helping working families feel secure world constant change means helping folks afford childcare college health care home retirement budget address issues lowering taxes working families putting thousands dollars back pockets year one example world war ii men like grandfather went war women like grandmother workforce national security priority country provided universal childcare today economy parents workforce economic necessity many families need affordable childcare ever time stop treating childcare side issue women issue treat like national economic priority us plan make quality childcare available affordable every middle class family young children america creating slots new tax cut per child per year another example today advanced country earth guarantee paid sick leave paid maternity leave workers million workers paid sick million think forces many parents make choice paycheck sick kid home taking new action help states adopt paid leave laws since paid sick leave ballot last november let us put vote right washington send bill gives every worker america opportunity earn 7 days paid sick leave right thing right thing course nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages congress still needs pass law makes sure woman paid man work mean 2015 time still need make sure employees get overtime earned everyone congress still refuses raise minimum wage say truly believe could work full time support family less year try vote give millions hardest working people america raise ideas make everybody rich relieve every hardship job government give working families fair shot still need employers see beyond next quarter earnings recognize investing workforce company interest still need laws strengthen rather weaken unions give american workers voice know things like childcare sick leave equal pay things like lower mortgage premiums higher minimum ideas make meaningful difference lives millions families fact us republicans democrats alike sent second make sure folks keep earning higher wages road help americans upgrade skills america thrived 20th century made high school free sent generation gis college trained best workforce world ahead curve countries caught economy rewards knowledge like never need game need end decade two three job openings require higher three yet still live country many bright striving americans priced education need fair sure smart future sending congress bold new plan lower cost community college zero keep mind 40 percent college students choose community college young starting older looking better job veterans single parents trying transition back job market whoever plan chance graduate ready new economy without load debt understand got earn got keep grades graduate time tennessee state republican leadership chicago city democratic leadership showing free community college possible want spread idea across america 2 years college becomes free universal america high school today let us stay ahead curve want work congress make sure already burdened student loans reduce monthly payments student debt derail anyone dreams thanks vice president biden great work update job training system connecting community colleges local employers train workers fill jobs like coding nursing robotics tonight also asking businesses follow lead companies like cvs ups offer educational benefits paid apprenticeships opportunities give workers chance earn higher paying jobs even higher education new generation veterans comes home owe every opportunity live american dream helped defend already made strides towards ensuring every veteran access highest quality care slashing backlog many veterans waiting years get benefits need making easier vets translate training experience civilian jobs joining forces national campaign launched michelle jill michelle thank helped nearly veterans military spouses get new job every ceo america let repeat want somebody going get job done done right hire veteran finally better train workers need new economy keep churning jobs workers fill since 2010 america put people back work europe japan advanced economies combined manufacturers added almost new jobs bedrock sectors like auto industry booming also millions americans work jobs even exist 10 20 years ago jobs companies like google ebay tesla one knows certain industries generate jobs future know want america know third part middle class economics building competitive economy anywhere place businesses want locate hire century businesses need infrastructure modern ports stronger bridges faster trains fastest internet democrats republicans used agree let us set sights higher single oil pipeline let us pass bipartisan infrastructure plan could create 30 times many jobs per year make country stronger decades come let us let us get done let us get done century businesses including small businesses need sell american products overseas today businesses export ever exporters tend pay workers higher wages speak china wants write rules world fastest growing region would put workers businesses disadvantage would let happen write rules level playing field asking parties give trade promotion authority protect american workers strong new trade deals asia europe free also fair right thing look first one admit past trade deals always lived hype gone countries break rules expense 95 percent world customers live outside borders close opportunities half manufacturing executives said actively looking bring jobs back china let us give one reason get done century businesses rely american science technology research development want country eliminated polio mapped human genome lead new era medicine one delivers right treatment right time patients cystic fibrosis approach reversed disease thought unstoppable tonight launching new precision medicine initiative bring us closer curing diseases like cancer diabetes give us access personalized information need keep families healthier intend protect free open internet extend reach every classroom every community help folks build fastest networks next generation digital innovators entrepreneurs platform keep reshaping world want americans win race kinds discoveries unleash new jobs converting sunlight liquid fuel creating revolutionary prosthetics veteran gave arms country play catch kids pushing solar system visit stay last month launched new spacecraft part reenergized space program send american astronauts mars 2 months prepare us missions scott kelly begin stay space good luck captain make sure instagram proud truth comes issues like infrastructure basic research know bipartisan support chamber members parties told often run onto rocks pay investments americans mind paying fair share taxes long everybody else far long lobbyists rigged tax code loopholes let corporations pay nothing others pay full freight riddled giveaways need denying break middle class families year opportunity change let us close loopholes stop rewarding companies keep profits abroad reward invest america let us use savings rebuild infrastructure make attractive companies bring jobs home let us simplify system let owner file based actual bank statement instead number accountants afford let us close loopholes lead inequality allowing top 1 percent avoid paying taxes accumulated wealth use money help families pay childcare send kids college need tax code truly helps working americans trying get leg new economy achieve together achieve together helping families make ends meet giving tools need jobs new economy maintaining conditions growth america needs go believe american people want go make economy stronger year 15 years deep century ahead course one thing new century taught us separate work home challenges beyond shores first duty commander chief defend united states america question whether america leads world make rash decisions reacting headlines instead using heads first response challenge send military risk getting drawn unnecessary conflicts neglect broader strategy need safer prosperous world enemies want us believe smarter kind american leadership lead best combine military power strong diplomacy leverage power coalition building let fears blind us opportunities new century presents exactly right around globe making difference first stand united people around world targeted terrorists school pakistan streets paris continue hunt terrorists dismantle networks reserve right act unilaterally done relentlessly since took office take terrorists pose direct threat us allies time learned costly lessons last 13 years instead americans patrolling valleys afghanistan trained security forces taken lead honored troops sacrifice supporting country first democratic transition instead sending large ground forces overseas partnering nations south asia north africa deny safe terrorists threaten america iraq syria american military stopping isil advance instead getting dragged another ground war middle east leading broad coalition including arab nations degrade ultimately destroy terrorist group also supporting moderate opposition syria help us effort assisting people everywhere stand bankrupt ideology violent extremism effort take time require focus succeed tonight call congress show world united mission passing resolution authorize use force isil need authority second demonstrating power american strength diplomacy upholding principle bigger nations bully small opposing russian aggression supporting ukraine democracy reassuring nato allies last year hard work imposing sanctions along allies reinforcing presence frontline states putin aggression suggested masterful display strategy strength heard folks well today america stands strong united allies russia isolated economy tatters america leads bluster persistent steady resolve cuba ending policy long past expiration date work 50 years time try something new shift cuba policy potential end legacy mistrust hemisphere removes phony excuse restrictions cuba stands democratic values extends hand friendship cuban people year congress begin work ending embargo holiness pope francis said diplomacy work small steps small steps added new hope future cuba years prison overjoyed alan gross back belongs welcome home alan glad diplomacy work respect iran first time decade halted progress nuclear program reduced stockpile nuclear material spring chance negotiate comprehensive agreement prevents iran secures america allies including israel avoiding yet another middle east conflict guarantees negotiations succeed keep options table prevent nuclear iran new sanctions passed congress moment time guarantee diplomacy fails alienating america allies making harder maintain sanctions ensuring iran starts nuclear program make sense veto new sanctions bill threatens undo progress american people expect us go war last resort intend stay true wisdom third looking beyond issues consumed us past shape coming century foreign nation hacker able shut networks steal trade secrets invade privacy american families especially kids making sure government integrates intelligence combat cyber threats done combat terrorism tonight urge congress finally pass legislation need better meet evolving threat cyber attacks combat identity theft protect children information bipartisan effort act leave nation economy vulnerable continue protect technologies unleashed untold opportunities people around globe west africa troops scientists doctors nurses health care workers rolling back ebola saving countless lives stopping spread disease could prouder thank congress bipartisan support efforts job yet done world needs use lesson build effective global effort prevent spread future pandemics invest smart development eradicate extreme poverty modernizing alliances making sure nations play rules trade resolve maritime disputes participate meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation disaster relief greater threat future generations climate change two thousand fourteen planet warmest year record 1 year make trend 14 15 warmest years record fallen first 15 years century heard folks try dodge evidence saying scientists enough information act well scientist either know know lot really good nasa noaa major universities best scientists world telling us activities changing climate act forcefully continue see rising oceans longer hotter heat waves dangerous droughts floods massive disruptions trigger greater migration conflict hunger around globe pentagon says climate change poses immediate risks national security act like past 6 years done ever combat climate change way produce energy way use set aside public lands waters administration history let congress endanger health children turning back clock efforts determined make sure american leadership drives international action beijing made historic announcement united states double pace cut carbon pollution china committed first time limiting emissions world two largest economies came together nations stepping offering hope year world finally reach agreement protect one planet got one last pillar leadership example values americans respect human dignity even threatened prohibited torture worked make sure use new technology like drones properly constrained speak deplorable resurfaced certain parts world continue reject offensive stereotypes muslims vast majority share commitment peace defend free speech advocate political prisoners condemn persecution women religious minorities people lesbian gay bisexual transgender things right thing ultimately make us safer americans profound commitment justice makes sense spend 3 million per prisoner keep open prison world condemns terrorists use recruit since president worked responsibly cut population gitmo half time finish job relent determination shut time close gitmo americans cherish civil liberties need uphold commitment want maximum cooperation countries industry fight terrorist networks moved debates surveillance programs promised intelligence agencies worked hard recommendations privacy advocates increase transparency build safeguards potential abuse next month issue report keeping promise keep country safe strengthening privacy looking future instead past making sure match power diplomacy use force wisely building coalitions meet new challenges opportunities leading always example makes us exceptional keeps us strong keep striving hold highest standards know decade ago gave speech boston said liberal america conservative america black america white america united states america said seen life nation gave someone like chance grew hawaii melting pot races customs made illinois home state small towns rich farmland one world great cities microcosm country democrats republicans independents good people every ethnicity every faith share certain bedrock values past 6 years pundits pointed presidency delivered vision ironic say politics seems divided ever held proof also proof vision misguided naive many people town actually benefit partisanship gridlock us ever anything know tempting cynicism may still think cynics wrong still believe one people still believe together great things even odds long believe 6 years office seen america best seen hopeful faces young graduates new york california newest officers west point annapolis colorado springs new london mourned grieving families tucson newtown boston west texas west virginia watched americans beat back adversity gulf coast great plains midwest assembly lines seaboard seen something like gay marriage go wedge issue used drive us apart story freedom across country civil right legal states 7 10 americans call home know good optimistic generosity american people every day live idea brother keeper sister keeper know expect us serve set better example question us tonight us better reflect america hopes served congress many know many well lot good people sides aisle many told signed arguing past cable shows constant fundraising always looking shoulder base react every decision imagine broke tired old patterns imagine something different understand better politics one democrats abandon agenda republicans simply embrace mine better politics one appeal basic decency instead basest fears better politics one debate without demonizing talk issues values principles facts rather gotcha moments trivial gaffes fake controversies nothing people daily lives better politics one spend less time drowning dark money ads pull us gutter spend time lifting young people sense purpose possibility asking join great mission building america going arguments let us arguments let us make debates worthy body worthy country still may agree woman right choose surely agree good thing teen pregnancies abortions nearing alltime lows every woman access health care needs yes passions still fly immigration surely see something striving young student agree one benefits mom snatched child possible shape law upholds tradition nation laws nation immigrants talked republicans democrats something share may go campaign season surely agree right vote sacred denied many 50th anniversary great march selma montgomery passage voting rights act come together democrats republicans make voting easier every single american may different takes events ferguson new york surely understand father fears son walk home without harassed surely understand wife rest police officer married walks front door end shift surely agree good thing first time 40 years crime rate incarceration rate come together use starting point democrats republicans community leaders law enforcement reform america criminal justice system protects serves us better politics start rebuilding trust move country forward american people want deserve campaigns run know agenda next 2 years one since day swore oath steps capitol believe best america share broad vision outlined tonight ask join work hand disagree parts hope least work agree commit every republican tonight seek ideas seek work make country stronger want chamber want city reflect truth blind spots shortcomings people strength generosity spirit bridge divides unite common effort help neighbors whether street side world want actions tell every child every neighborhood life matters committed improving life chances committed working behalf kids want future generations know people see differences great gift people value dignity worth every citizen man woman young old black white latino asian immigrant native american gay straight americans mental illness physical disability everybody matters want grow country shows world still know true still collection red states blue states united states america want grow country young mom sit write letter president story sums past 6 years amazing bounce back strong family made hard times fellow americans strong family made hard times fifteen years new century picked dusted begun work remaking america laid new foundation brighter future write let us begin new chapter together let us start work right thank god bless god bless country love thank
speaker vice president member congress fellow american 15 year new century fifteen year dawn terror touch shore unfold new generation fight two long costly war saw vicious recession spread across nation world still hard time many tonight turn page tonight breakthrough year america economy grow create job fast pace since 1999 unemployment rate lower financial crisis kid graduate ever people insure ever free grip foreign oil almost 30 year tonight first time since combat mission afghanistan six year ago nearly american troop serve iraq afghanistan today few remain salute courage sacrifice every man woman generation serve keep u safe humble grateful service america endure grit hard work require come back tasks lie ahead know shadow crisis pass state union strong grow economy shrink deficit bustle industry boom energy rise recession freer write future nation earth u choose want next 15 year decades come accept economy u spectacularly well commit economy generate rise income chance everyone make effort approach world fearful reactive drag costly conflict strain military set back stand lead wisely use element power defeat new threat protect planet allow sort faction turn one another recapture sense common purpose always propel america forward 2 week send congress budget fill ideas practical partisan month ahead crisscross country make case idea tonight want focus less checklist proposal focus value stake choice u begin economy seven year ago rebekah ben erler minneapolis newlywed wait table work construction first child jack way young love america get much good know rebekah write last spring happen housing construction market crisis worsen ben business dry take job could find even keep road long stretch time rebekah take student loan enrol community college retrain new career sacrifice slowly pay buy first home second son henry rebekah get good job raise ben back construction home dinner every night amaze rebekah write bounce back strong family make hard time strong family make hard time america rebekah ben story story represent million work hard scrimp sacrifice retooled reason run office people think 6 year ago today dark month crisis stand step capitol promise would rebuild economy new foundation resilience effort make possible country emerge strong believe could reverse tide outsource draw new job shore past 5 year business create 11 million new job believe could reduce dependence foreign oil protect planet today america number one oil gas america number one wind power every 3 week bring online much solar power 2008 thanks low gas price higher fuel standard typical family year save 750 pump believe could prepare kid competitive world today young student earn high math reading score record high school graduation rate hit alltime high american finish college ever believe sensible regulation could prevent another crisis shield family ruin encourage fair competition today new tool stop bailouts new consumer watchdog protect u predatory lend abusive credit card practice past year alone 10 million uninsured american finally gain security health coverage every step tell goal misguide ambitious would crush job explode deficit instead see fast economic growth decade deficit cut stock market double health care inflation low rate 50 year good news people verdict clear middle class economics work expand opportunity work policy continue work long politics get way slow business put economy risk government shutdowns fiscal showdown put security family risk take away health insurance unravel new rule wall street refighting past battle immigration get fix broken system bill come desk try thing veto earn veto today thanks grow economy recovery touch life wage finally start rise know owner plan raise employee pay time since 2007 thing u tonight need set sight higher make sure government screw thing government halt progress make need harm tonight together let u restore link hard work grow opportunity every american family like rebekah still need help ben work hard ever forego vacation new car pay student loan save retirement friday night pizza big splurge basic childcare jack henry cost mortgage almost much year university minnesota like million american rebekah ask handout ask look way help family get ahead fact every moment economic change throughout history country take bold action adapt new circumstance make sure everyone get fair shot set worker protection social security medicare medicaid protect harsh adversity give citizen school college infrastructure internet tool need go far effort dream take middle class economics idea country best everyone get fair shot everyone fair share everyone play set rule want everyone share america success want everyone contribute success middle class economics require time first middle class economics mean help work family feel secure world constant change mean help folk afford childcare college health care home retirement budget address issue lower tax work family put thousand dollar back pocket year one example world war ii men like grandfather go war woman like grandmother workforce national security priority country provide universal childcare today economy parent workforce economic necessity many family need affordable childcare ever time stop treating childcare side issue woman issue treat like national economic priority u plan make quality childcare available affordable every middle class family young child america create slots new tax cut per child per year another example today advance country earth guarantee pay sick leave pay maternity leave worker million worker pay sick million think force many parent make choice paycheck sick kid home take new action help state adopt pay leave law since pay sick leave ballot last november let u put vote right washington send bill give every worker america opportunity earn 7 day pay sick leave right thing right thing course nothing help family make end meet like high wage congress still need pass law make sure woman pay man work mean 2015 time still need make sure employee get overtime earn everyone congress still refuse raise minimum wage say truly believe could work full time support family less year try vote give million hard work people america raise idea make everybody rich relieve every hardship job government give work family fair shot still need employer see beyond next quarter earnings recognize invest workforce company interest still need law strengthen rather weaken union give american worker voice know thing like childcare sick leave equal pay thing like low mortgage premium higher minimum idea make meaningful difference life million family fact u republicans democrat alike send second make sure folk keep earn high wage road help american upgrade skill america thrive 20th century make high school free sent generation gi college train best workforce world ahead curve country catch economy reward knowledge like never need game need end decade two three job opening require high three yet still live country many bright strive american price education need fair sure smart future send congress bold new plan low cost community college zero keep mind 40 percent college student choose community college young start old look well job veteran single parent try transition back job market whoever plan chance graduate ready new economy without load debt understand get earn get keep grade graduate time tennessee state republican leadership chicago city democratic leadership show free community college possible want spread idea across america 2 year college become free universal america high school today let u stay ahead curve want work congress make sure already burden student loan reduce monthly payment student debt derail anyone dream thanks vice president biden great work update job training system connect community college local employer train worker fill job like cod nurse robotics tonight also ask business follow lead company like cv ups offer educational benefit pay apprenticeship opportunity give worker chance earn high pay job even high education new generation veteran come home owe every opportunity live american dream help defend already make stride towards ensure every veteran access high quality care slash backlog many veteran wait year get benefit need make easy vet translate train experience civilian job join force national campaign launch michelle jill michelle thank help nearly veterans military spouse get new job every ceo america let repeat want somebody go get job do do right hire veteran finally well train worker need new economy keep churn job worker fill since 2010 america put people back work europe japan advance economy combine manufacturer add almost new job bedrock sector like auto industry boom also million american work job even exist 10 20 year ago job company like google ebay tesla one know certain industry generate job future know want america know third part middle class economics build competitive economy anywhere place business want locate hire century business need infrastructure modern port strong bridge faster train fast internet democrat republicans use agree let u set sight high single oil pipeline let u pass bipartisan infrastructure plan could create 30 time many job per year make country strong decade come let u let u get do let u get do century business include small business need sell american product overseas today business export ever exporter tend pay worker higher wage speak china want write rule world fast grow region would put worker business disadvantage would let happen write rule level play field ask party give trade promotion authority protect american worker strong new trade deal asia europe free also fair right thing look first one admit past trade deal always live hype go country break rule expense 95 percent world customer live outside border close opportunity half manufacture executive say actively look bring job back china let u give one reason get do century business rely american science technology research development want country eliminate polio map human genome lead new era medicine one delivers right treatment right time patient cystic fibrosis approach reverse disease think unstoppable tonight launch new precision medicine initiative bring u closer cure disease like cancer diabetes give u access personalize information need keep family healthy intend protect free open internet extend reach every classroom every community help folk build fast network next generation digital innovator entrepreneurs platform keep reshape world want american win race kind discovery unleash new job convert sunlight liquid fuel create revolutionary prosthetics veteran give arm country play catch kid push solar system visit stay last month launch new spacecraft part reenergized space program send american astronaut mar 2 month prepare u mission scott kelly begin stay space good luck captain make sure instagram proud truth come issue like infrastructure basic research know bipartisan support chamber member party tell often run onto rock pay investment american mind pay fair share tax long everybody else far long lobbyist rig tax code loophole let corporation pay nothing others pay full freight riddle giveaway need deny break middle class family year opportunity change let u close loophole stop reward company keep profit abroad reward invest america let u use saving rebuild infrastructure make attractive company bring job home let u simplify system let owner file base actual bank statement instead number accountant afford let u close loophole lead inequality allow top 1 percent avoid pay tax accumulate wealth use money help family pay childcare send kid college need tax code truly help work american try get leg new economy achieve together achieve together help family make end meet give tool need job new economy maintain condition growth america need go believe american people want go make economy strong year 15 year deep century ahead course one thing new century teach u separate work home challenge beyond shore first duty commander chief defend united state america question whether america lead world make rash decision react headline instead use head first response challenge send military risk get draw unnecessary conflict neglect broad strategy need safer prosperous world enemy want u believe smart kind american leadership lead best combine military power strong diplomacy leverage power coalition build let fear blind u opportunities new century present exactly right around globe make difference first stand united people around world target terrorist school pakistan street paris continue hunt terrorist dismantle network reserve right act unilaterally do relentlessly since take office take terrorist pose direct threat u ally time learn costly lesson last 13 year instead american patrol valley afghanistan trained security force take lead honored troop sacrifice support country first democratic transition instead send large ground force overseas partner nation south asia north africa deny safe terrorist threaten america iraq syria american military stop isil advance instead get drag another ground war middle east lead broad coalition include arab nation degrade ultimately destroy terrorist group also support moderate opposition syria help u effort assist people everywhere stand bankrupt ideology violent extremism effort take time require focus succeed tonight call congress show world united mission pass resolution authorize use force isil need authority second demonstrate power american strength diplomacy upholding principle big nation bully small oppose russian aggression support ukraine democracy reassure nato ally last year hard work impose sanction along ally reinforce presence frontline state putin aggression suggest masterful display strategy strength heard folk well today america stand strong united ally russia isolated economy tatter america lead bluster persistent steady resolve cuba end policy long past expiration date work 50 year time try something new shift cuba policy potential end legacy mistrust hemisphere remove phony excuse restriction cuba stand democratic value extend hand friendship cuban people year congress begin work end embargo holiness pope francis say diplomacy work small step small step add new hope future cuba year prison overjoyed alan gross back belong welcome home alan glad diplomacy work respect iran first time decade halt progress nuclear program reduce stockpile nuclear material spring chance negotiate comprehensive agreement prevents iran secures america ally include israel avoid yet another middle east conflict guarantee negotiation succeed keep option table prevent nuclear iran new sanction pass congress moment time guarantee diplomacy fail alienate america ally make harder maintain sanction ensure iran start nuclear program make sense veto new sanction bill threaten undo progress american people expect u go war last resort intend stay true wisdom third look beyond issue consume u past shape come century foreign nation hacker able shut network steal trade secret invade privacy american family especially kid make sure government integrate intelligence combat cyber threat do combat terrorism tonight urge congress finally pass legislation need good meet evolve threat cyber attack combat identity theft protect child information bipartisan effort act leave nation economy vulnerable continue protect technology unleash untold opportunity people around globe west africa troops scientist doctor nurse health care worker roll back ebola save countless life stop spread disease could prouder thank congress bipartisan support effort job yet do world need use lesson build effective global effort prevent spread future pandemic invest smart development eradicate extreme poverty modernizing alliance make sure nation play rule trade resolve maritime dispute participate meeting common international challenge like nonproliferation disaster relief great threat future generation climate change two thousand fourteen planet warm year record 1 year make trend 14 15 warm year record fall first 15 year century hear folk try dodge evidence say scientist enough information act well scientist either know know lot really good nasa noaa major university best scientist world tell u activity change climate act forcefully continue see rise ocean longer hotter heat wave dangerous drought flood massive disruption trigger great migration conflict hunger around globe pentagon say climate change pose immediate risk national security act like past 6 year do ever combat climate change way produce energy way use set aside public land water administration history let congress endanger health child turn back clock effort determine make sure american leadership drive international action beijing make historic announcement united state double pace cut carbon pollution china commit first time limit emission world two large economy come together nation step offer hope year world finally reach agreement protect one planet get one last pillar leadership example value americans respect human dignity even threaten prohibited torture work make sure use new technology like drone properly constrain speak deplorable resurface certain part world continue reject offensive stereotype muslim vast majority share commitment peace defend free speech advocate political prisoner condemn persecution woman religious minority people lesbian gay bisexual transgender thing right thing ultimately make u safe american profound commitment justice make sense spend 3 million per prisoner keep open prison world condemns terrorist use recruit since president work responsibly cut population gitmo half time finish job relent determination shut time close gitmo americans cherish civil liberty need uphold commitment want maximum cooperation country industry fight terrorist network move debate surveillance program promise intelligence agency work hard recommendation privacy advocate increase transparency build safeguard potential abuse next month issue report keep promise keep country safe strengthen privacy look future instead past make sure match power diplomacy use force wisely build coalition meet new challenge opportunity lead always example make u exceptional keep u strong keep strive hold high standard know decade ago give speech boston say liberal america conservative america black america white america united state america say see life nation give someone like chance grow hawaii melt pot race custom make illinois home state small town rich farmland one world great city microcosm country democrat republicans independent good people every ethnicity every faith share certain bedrock value past 6 year pundits point presidency deliver vision ironic say politics seem divide ever hold proof also proof vision misguide naive many people town actually benefit partisanship gridlock u ever anything know tempt cynicism may still think cynic wrong still believe one people still believe together great thing even odds long believe 6 year office see america best see hopeful face young graduate new york california new officer west point annapolis colorado spring new london mourn grieve family tucson newtown boston west texas west virginia watch american beat back adversity gulf coast great plain midwest assembly line seaboard see something like gay marriage go wedge issue use drive u apart story freedom across country civil right legal state 7 10 american call home know good optimistic generosity american people every day live idea brother keeper sister keeper know expect u serve set well example question u tonight u well reflect america hope serve congress many know many well lot good people side aisle many tell sign argue past cable show constant fundraise always look shoulder base react every decision imagine break tired old pattern imagine something different understand good politics one democrat abandon agenda republican simply embrace mine good politics one appeal basic decency instead base fear good politics one debate without demonize talk issue value principle fact rather gotcha moment trivial gaffe fake controversy nothing people daily live good politics one spend less time drown dark money ad pull u gutter spend time lift young people sense purpose possibility ask join great mission building america go argument let u argument let u make debate worthy body worthy country still may agree woman right choose surely agree good thing teen pregnancy abortion near alltime low every woman access health care need yes passion still fly immigration surely see something strive young student agree one benefit mom snatch child possible shape law upholds tradition nation law nation immigrant talk republican democrat something share may go campaign season surely agree right vote sacred deny many 50th anniversary great march selma montgomery passage voting right act come together democrat republican make vote easy every single american may different take event ferguson new york surely understand father fear son walk home without harass surely understand wife rest police officer marry walk front door end shift surely agree good thing first time 40 year crime rate incarceration rate come together use start point democrat republicans community leader law enforcement reform america criminal justice system protect serve u good politics start rebuild trust move country forward american people want deserve campaign run know agenda next 2 year one since day swear oath step capitol believe best america share broad vision outline tonight ask join work hand disagree part hope least work agree commit every republican tonight seek idea seek work make country strong want chamber want city reflect truth blind spots shortcoming people strength generosity spirit bridge divide unite common effort help neighbor whether street side world want action tell every child every neighborhood life matter commit improve life chance commit work behalf kid want future generation know people see difference great gift people value dignity worth every citizen man woman young old black white latino asian immigrant native american gay straight american mental illness physical disability everybody matter want grow country show world still know true still collection red state blue state united state america want grow country young mom sit write letter president story sum past 6 year amaze bounce back strong family make hard time fellow american strong family make hard time fifteen year new century pick dusted begin work remake america lay new foundation brighter future write let u begin new chapter together let u start work right thank god bless god bless country love thank