President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night at the U.S. Capitol, and focused heavily on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
In the much anticipated speech, Biden discussed how the United States plans to fight inflation, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, new jobs programs, the future of manufacturing, and more.
"Last year COVID-19 kept us apart, this year we're finally together again," Biden opened his speech.
"Six days ago, Russia's Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways, but he badly miscalculated," Biden said. "He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined, he met the Ukrainian people.
"To President Zelensky, to every Ukrainian their fearlessness, their courage, their determination, literally inspires the world."
The president went on to speak about the Russia's threat to the world, and said the people of the Unites States "stand with the Ukrainian people."
"We the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people," Biden said. "Throughout our history we've learned this lesson, when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause war and chaos. They keep moving, and the costs and threats to America and America to the world keeps rising. That's why the NATO Alliance was created to secure peace and stability in Europe after World War II."
He then spoke about Putin's attack on Ukraine and how the United States, NATO, and more countries will "hold him accountable."
"Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and totally unprovoked," Biden said. "He rejected repeated, repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the west and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home, in this chamber, in this nation. He thought he could divide us in Europe as well, but Putin was wrong. We are ready, we are united, and that's what we did, we stayed united."
"Putin is now isolated from the world more than he's ever been."
Biden explained the sanctions that are being imposed on Russia.
Biden confirmed that the U.S. will ban Russian aircraft from U.S. airspace, joining Canada and the European Union in banning Russian planes from its airspace.
"And tonight, I'm announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding additional squeeze on their economy."
Biden went on to add how the United States will help Ukraine against Russia, but made it clear that U.S. forces "will not engage in a conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine."
"As I've made crystal clear, the United States and our allies will defend every inch of territory that is NATO territory with the full force of our collective power. Every single inch."
"Tonight I can announce that the United States has worked with 30 other countries to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world. America will lead that effort, releasing 30 million barrels from petroleum reserve... And we stand ready to do more if necessary, united with our allies."
Biden said that will help high gas prices in the U.S. and stressed that the country will "be OK" amid Russia's invasion on Ukraine.
The president then discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and the record inflation, which was the highest it has been since 1982, hitting 7.5%. He praised the American Rescue Plan for helping Americans in need during the pandemic.
"Unlike the $2 trillion tax cut passed in the previous administration that benefited the top one percent of Americans, the American Rescue Plan helped working people and left no one behind. And it worked, it worked."
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The United States created 6.5 million new jobs in 2021, a record for new jobs in a single year. The economy grew by 5.7% last year, as it was the largest increase since 1984. Biden then thanked the effort to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, calling it the "single biggest investment in history."
"It was a bipartisan effort and I'd like to thank the members of both parties to work to make it happen," Biden said. "We're done talking about infrastructure weeks, we're now talking about a infrastructure decade. It's going to transform America, to put us on a path to win the economic competition of the 21st century that we face with the rest of the world, particularly China."
He continued to discuss the infrastructure plans for the country in 2022.
"Tonight I'm announcing that this year, we will start fixing over 65,000 miles of highway and over 1500 bridges in disrepair," Biden said. "When we use taxpayers' dollars to rebuild America, we're going to do it by buying American. Buy American products, support American jobs."
Biden then explained why it's important to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act to help the country keep up with other countries, especially compared to China. He announced that Intel will have a massive factory complex with 10,000 new jobs in Indiana, and it could be an even larger investment if the bill gets passed. The president also mentioned both Ford and GM's plans to expand their investments in electric vehicles, thus creating new jobs.
"I think I have a better idea to fight inflation, lower your costs, not your wages," Biden said. "That means make more cars and semiconductors in America, more infrastructure and innovation in America, more goods moving faster and cheaper in America, more jobs we can earn a good living in America. Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let's make it in America."
Those remarks received a standing ovation from the crowd, including "USA" chants. He followed up with a plan of things the country can do fight inflation.
"Here's the plan, first, cut the cost of prescription drugs," Biden said. "We pay more for the same drug produced by the same company in America than any other country in the world."
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Biden even suggested the cost of insulin should be capped at $35 per month.
"Second, let's cut energy costs for families," Biden said, adding that Americans could receive an investment tax credit by being energy efficient.
"Third, let's cut the cost of childcare," Biden said. He acknowledged how difficult it can be to afford childcare, and will do what he can to help lower costs for families.
He spoke about the hardships the United States has faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and gave a positive outlook for the future.
"Tonight I can say we're moving forward safely, back towards more normal routines. We've reached a new moment in the fight against COIVD-19, where severe cases are down to a level not seen since July of last year. Just a few days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new mask guideline. Under the new guidelines, most Americans and most of the country can now go mask free.
"Thanks to the progress we've made in the past year, COVID-19 no longer need control our lives... Tonight, I say that we never just accept living with COVID-19 but will continue to combat the virus like we do other diseases. And because this virus mutates and spreads, we must stay on guard."
Biden emphasized the importance of COVID-19 vaccines for protection against the virus, and touched on the future of the "Test to Treat Initiative" where people will be eligible to receive antiviral pills at pharmacies. He also said people can order more COVID-19 tests to their homes at no cost beginning next week.
He asked Americans to stop making enemies on COVID-19 related issues, and to "start seeing each other for who we are, fellow Americans."
Biden acknowledged Justice Stephen Breyer for his service as an associate justice of the Supreme Court since 1994, and expressed enthusiasm over the nomination of federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Biden closed his speech by sharing his confidence in the country going forward more than ever before.
"So on this night, on our 245th year as a nation, I've come to report on the State of the Union, and my report is this, the State of the Union is strong because you, the American people, are strong. We are stronger today than we were a year ago, and we'll be stronger a year from now than we are today. This is our moment to meet and overcome the challenges of our time, and we will as one people, one America, the United States of America. God bless you all and may God protect our troops. Thank you, go get him."
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