He laid out an extensive proposal for universal preschool, two years of free community college, $225 billion for child care and monthly payments of at least $250 to parents. And we have to prove them wrong.”īiden repeatedly hammered home that his plans would put Americans back to work, restoring the millions of jobs lost to the virus. They look at the images of the mob that assaulted this Capitol as proof that the sun is setting on American democracy. They believe we are too full of anger and division and rage. “America’s adversaries – the autocrats of the world – are betting it can’t. “Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have pulled us apart?” he asked. He confronted an issue rarely faced by an American president, namely that in order to compete with autocracies like China, the nation needs “to prove that democracy still works” after his predecessor’s baseless claims of election fraud and the ensuing attack on the U.S. We have stared into an abyss of insurrection and autocracy - of pandemic and pain - and ‘We the People’ did not flinch.”Īt times, the president plainly made his case for democracy itself.īiden demanded that the government take care of its own as a powerful symbol to the world of an America willing to forcefully follow its ideals and people. Yet Biden said, “I have never been more confident or more optimistic about America. The chamber was so sparsely populated that individual claps could be heard echoing off the walls. The first ovation came as Biden greeted “Madam Vice President.” He added, “No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it’s about time.” And she was next to another woman, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This year’s scene at the front of the House chamber also had a historic look: For the first time, a female vice president, Kamala Harris, was seated behind the chief executive. We have shown each other and the world: There is no quit in America,” Biden said. The president is following the speech by hitting the road to push his plans, beginning in Georgia on Thursday and then on to Pennsylvania and Virginia in the days ahead. The nationally televised ritual raised the stakes for his ability to sell his plans to voters of both parties, even if Republican lawmakers prove resistant. Outside the grounds were still surrounded by fencing after insurrectionists in January protesting Biden’s election stormed to the doors of the House chamber where he gave his address. Members of Congress wore masks and were seated apart because of pandemic restrictions. While the ceremonial setting of the Capitol was the same as usual, the visual images were unlike any previous presidential address. border, which the administration has said is "closed" while resisting calling the situation a "crisis."ĪT THE BORDER: President Biden tells potential migrants: 'Don't come' to the US amid surge at southern borderīiden is also expected to reveal a robust infrastructure plan to follow his legislative win with the passage of his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. Many anticipate Biden's answers to questions about funding this plan, as well as a continued response to economic recovery for businesses and families hit by the coronavirus.“I can report to the nation: America is on the move again,” he said. The recent shooting in a Boulder, Colo., grocery store and a continuing nationwide vaccination effort against the coronavirus, among other issues, are likely to keep the pressure on Biden and his team during the news conference.Īnother early challenge for the Biden administration that will likely be raised at his press conference is the number of migrants coming to the southern U.S. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that Biden is "looking forward to the opportunity to engage with a free press." This will be his first direct solo address to members of the press. You can watch it hereĪfter taking office following a tumultuous election and a year complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden is expected to face questions on a number of topics. Joe Biden is preparing for the first press conference of his presidency Thursday at 12:15 p.m.
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