US President Joe Biden on Wednesday evening spoke before a joint session of Congress for the first time.
The session was historic as, for the first time ever, two women – Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sat behind the President during an address to a joint session of Congress.
Biden acknowledged Harris as “Madam Vice President” and the added, “No president has ever said these words from behind this podium – and it’s about time.”
“As I stand here tonight, we are just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration,” Biden said, according to excerpts from his remarks released by the White House before they were delivered.
“100 days since I took the oath of office—lifted my hand off our family Bible—and inherited a nation in crisis. The worst pandemic in a century. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”
“Now—after just 100 days—I can report to the nation: America is on the move again. Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength.”
“I can say because of you – the American people – our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history has been one of the greatest logistical achievements this country has ever seen,” Biden said.
“Everyone is now eligible to get vaccinated,” he added. “Right now, right away, go get vaccinated, America.”
Introducing his American Jobs Plan, Biden explained that his plans to improve water infrastructure, to increase internet access, to address climate change will all create jobs.
“The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction workers to work building more energy efficient buildings and homes,” Biden said. “The American Jobs Plan will help millions of people get back to their jobs and their careers.”
“Now, I know some of you at home wonder whether these jobs are for you. You feel left behind and forgotten in an economy that’s rapidly changing. Let me speak directly to you.”
“Independent experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic growth for years to come. These are good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced. Nearly 90% of the infrastructure jobs created in the American Jobs Plan don’t require a college degree. 75% don’t require an associate’s degree.”
“The Americans Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build America. And, it recognizes something I’ve always said: Wall Street didn’t build this country. The middle class built this country. And unions built the middle class,” said Biden.
“We have to prove democracy still works. That our government still works—and can deliver for the people,” the President continued.
“In our first 100 days together, we have acted to restore the people’s faith in our democracy to deliver.”
“We’re vaccinating the nation. We’re creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. We’re delivering real results people can see and feel in their own lives. Opening the doors of opportunity. Guaranteeing fairness and justice.”
Biden also mentioned Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs which he said “present a serious threat to America’s security and world security”.
“We will be working closely with our allies to address the threats posed by both of these countries through diplomacy and stern deterrence,” he said.
Addressing US troops that are currently serving in Afghanistan, Biden said that "it is time to bring our troops home."
On Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement in election interference, the President said, “I responded in a direct and proportionate way to Russia’s interference in our elections and cyber-attacks on our government and businesses — and they did both of those things.”
On China’s President Xi Jinping, Biden said, “America will stand up to unfair trade practices that undercut American workers and industries, like subsidies for state-owned enterprises and the theft of American technologies and intellectual property.”