Transcripts For KPIX CBS 20240704

And civil. No outbursts. And no doubt there is tension high inside that chamber. Im joined tonight by the best Political Team in the business. Lets start off with face the nation moderator margaret brennan. We are told the president has just arrived on t the hill. President biden is about to do something he doesnt often do is to explain to the publics vision for the country. We are seeing in our own cbs polling is frustration with that and the majority of those polled by cbs believe he has less of a vision for the country then donald trump does. To the 81yearold president tonight needs to stand there and show that he has the excitement and ability to go through an agenda that he will say is really being blocked by donald trump, encouraging the g. O. P. To stop him from surging resources to the border, to stop him from getting weapons to fight Vladimir Putin in ukraine. Hes going to try to take a victory lap here on the economy, pointing to things like strong job growth. But he will blame the corporations during the hiring for any of the discomfort people at home may still be feeling. But i think you put your finger on it. This country is divided. You wonder who will receive whatever message he is trying to deliver. Norah nancy cordes, you cover the white house for us as our chief white house correspondent. How did the president repair . And how aware is his team . This is the largest tv audience hell probably have periods because they are extremely aware. While they say the speech wont be overtly political, hes not going to bash republicans right and left, they are aware this is happening within a political season and they really view the speech as i kick to the general election campaign. This is a message that theyre going to want to take forward over the next several months, as he barnstormers the country, in ads, via surrogates, hes really laying the foundation for the police that he wants to make for four more years to the American Public. Norah we are running a little late this evening as we await the president of the United States, and we see many of the House Democratic women wearing white. Whats the message . On reproductive rights, they are sending a message tonight. Speaker youll see a number of women in blue and they say that theyre wearing blue to show solidarity with israeli hostages who are still being held in gaza. Norah robert costa is with us as our as our chief election and campaign correspondent. This is the president s night. Its his address to the nation, the state of the union. And yet donald trump will be reacting in real time. What do you think we will be at the end of the night in terms of the clash between the two of them, the selling of their ideas . Inside President Bidens inner circle, theres a real sense that tonight he has the spotlight. He knows that his rival, the likely republican nominee, donald trump, always seizes the spotlight, generates more headlines. This is bidens time to try to really take command. Trouble will be watching. Hes actually going to be posting what hes calling playbyplay on social media and keep an eye on the republican response. Senator katie britt of alabama, she has endorsed trump. Speaker johnson has endorsed tom, the whole party, the g. O. P. In the image and likeness of donald trump ideologically ended political spirit. Norah ed okeefe as we look inside the chamber, you covered congress. You covered the white house. The president has got to sell his agenda, what hes been doing for the last three years, try into a victory lap, if you will. But at the same time, on the two top issues for motors, immigration and the border, he is what we call underwater. Twothirds of americans disapprove how hes doing. Is telling that in the lead up to this weve heard about things he wants to do address inflation, what he might do regarding the war in the middle east. We havent heard anything about what hes planning to say tonight about immigration the border. Polling shows us americans disapprove of the way hes handling this. He was on the border last week trying to provide a contrast to President Trump. Likely to push them tonight to free up legislation to free up dollars for Border Security and the Border Patrol and on the economy, talk about ways he wants to album americans save money, whether its going after socalled hidden or junk fees from Credit Card Companies and the airlines, new tax breaks and redoing the Child Tax Credit. Norah what about that . How much will he blame the House Republicans and speaker johnson who is sitting behind him for the first time for taking what is the toughest bipartisan bill on immigration indicates . I mean, democrats were grinding their teeth and the president was trying to pull them across the line to support this and it was blocked. The president and those in the white house believe this is because donald trump called them up and said no, i dont want this win. Very likely he would call them out directly on that at some point tonight. Among some of the republicans, theyre wearing big buttons that saved bidens border crossings, trying to run on this on the president s decision not to use executive authority. The president has consistently said he wants congress to change the laws and Congress Surge of the resources and he will bring it back to the bipartisan bill which as you said was endorsed by conservative groups including the rightleaning Border Patrol union. To go after a congress thats done very little in the last year and turned to the American Public and say its their fault. One of the most gifted knights in american politics but people close to biden say watch the unscripted moments. Maybe the republicans shout. Maybe they point a finger. You said speaker johnson told them to be civil but it was last you and have a Feisty Exchange with Congressional Republicans are really set that state of the union apart from others and for tonight and really watching as a reporter, what are the unscheduled moments . Does President Biden take on personally individually some of these members question marks being one of those unscripted moments we have already seen, the president is late because of propalestinian protesters were making clear their objectives to the president s embrace of the israeli Prime Minister and ongoing war in gaza and thats going to be something that you hear him hearken back to. Trying to get in front of because he needs to consolidate the democratic base. Not just arabamericans and muslim americans, progressives, its a worry that you saw in minnesota and michigan, with those uncommitted voters. Norah members of the joint chiefs of staff discussing as they await the president , remember this is not just the house and the senate. As members of the cabinet, members of the Supreme Court, members of the military. There are guests also of the first lady in the box. This is one of the biggest events of the year, the president s state of the union. Thats why its watched so closely. I want to bring in our chief political analyst john dickerson. As we were talking about the issue of civility, the tension inside that chamber and the speaker, the new speaker going so far as to warn his own members about decorum. Actually consulting this house sergeant of arms about whether people, if he bangs the gavel more than once, kenny kicked somebody out can he kicked somebody out . Do you think it could get rowdy tonight . Who knows the minds of men and women who would like to raise money with a breakout moment or get attention on social media . The speaker has some of those in his conference who act out for all of the reasons that inspire behavior like that in politics today. So it could very well be the case based on the excerpts from the president s speech, he is beating republicans. White house says hes not going to call them out but it would pretty darn obvious who hes calling out when you bake them, its very likely the president might not mind getting a response. When the arguments hes trying to make is republicans dont know how to run a government and that its a chaotic party and he would like to see that on display whether that happens or not we should also remember speaker johnson told his group to behave themselves. But it was in an Election Year that the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up a speech behind donald trump. So the acting out has been on both sides in the ceremony. This isnt just silly symbolism or spectacle. The capital is ringed with fences and National Guard troops because of an attack on the capitol on january 6th. So its very Serious Business and you have many moderates on n the audience who use to participate in dealmaking and lawmaking that was based on compromise. They are all leaving now. Thats also another symbol of whats happened with politics today. Norah we should acknowledge the first lady of the United States, jill biden just entered to applause and everyone is standing to greet her. A quick note about who is sitting in the first ladys box. Shawn fain, part of an overture to labor by President Biden. Mr. Speaker, the president s cabinet. [applause] norah this is the beginning of the ceremony, running at least 10 minutes. This is bidens standard time, 10 minutes late is still early. Ladies and gentlemen, it could be a few more minutes. We are used to this. Norah secretary of state tony blinken has been very busy dealing with a number of International Crises not only what is going on with the war in gaza and dealing with israel and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and trying to get him as well as leaders of hamas to agree to a ceasefire but also trying to get many of these people inside this room to agree to a supplemental bill to fund those wars as well as the border crisis at the southern border. Norah, now that we are able to actually see the chamber it really is a sea of white, as you pointed out. Reproductive rights is going to be a huge focus. Both of the president s speech and within the room, you have ivf patients who have been invited by democrats. You have fertility doctors who have been invited, sitting with the first lady, women who have tried to get abortions because of nonviable pregnancies but were told they could not do so in their state. The president trying to make a larger case the individual freedoms have been rolled back since roe v. Wade was overturned. Norah tonight he will say that if hes reelected, he will reinstate roe vs. Wade. He will try to. Right. [laughter] one of several things he will promise to do but will actually be quite difficult to get done. Part of the republican response, this choice of katie britt from the state of alabama, state that just today signed into law protections for ivf within two weeks of that state ruling that just really cause such a political backlash. Norah as we await President Biden inside the House Chamber, Scott Macfarlane is there for us to give us a birdseye view and tell us what you are seeing. The president is about to enter a gridlock, some would say Dysfunctional Congress that is struggled to adjust to the basic things government is supposed to do, keep the lights on, keep the office is open. Theres been some jockeying for seats along that center aisle. I saw people lining up, members of congress as early as 2 00 p. M. To secure that seat and get that moment to shake hands with President Biden. Among those on the republican side, ill note this because shes been inching her way closer and closer, perhaps his most vitriolic critic, Marjorie Taylor greene of georgia. We spotted her just a short while ago. Also on the floor former member of congress, his name might ring a bell, george santos. He still has floor privileges. Norah scott, thank you for that. Many people of course know that the top issues are immigration and the economy. The economy has rebounded in many ways, yet people arent feeling it. I want to bring in rcbs new Senior Business and technology correspondent. What do the numbers tell us about the state of the economy and peoples perception about the economy . Youre going to hear it tonight from President Biden. Hes going to trumpet what he calls his big wins. Unemployment below 4 for more than two years, thats something we havent seen since the 1960s. Small businesses, one of the guests of the president is a Small Business owner, those openings have been very strong. The reality of the situation is the devil is in the details in terms of budget, personal budget. We are talking about Auto Insurance going up, we are talking about food prices going up, rent continues to skyrocket. Theres this massive disconnect. In fact in our cbs news polling, we have seen this come into play. President trumps economy is remembered more fondly than the current economy under President Biden even though the numbers overall are stronger. But whats really hurting right now is Mortgage Rates. Things are really expensive. Prices continue to climb. We are not saying deflation, just a cooling off of insulation so we expect to hear the president today really hammer home on those wins but also admit that prices are still too high in some areas. Norah i want to bring in our chief washington correspondent Major Garrett. Major, we would be remiss not to mention where, just a little over three years ago in the capitol, january 6th and what happened there. We would, norah. The Security Posture here reflects an anxiety that endures from january 6th 2021. Outside the capitol ringing the entire capital complex, 8 feet of iron fence, all black. National guard personnel. Independence avenue, constitution avenue in front of the Supreme Court basically surrounding, not man by man, person by person, foot by foot but their presence is highly noticeable here and thats a reflection not only what happened on january 6, 2021, but something that persists. What is that . The threat environment around all members of congress. Threats to senators, members of congress, text messages, emails, phone calls have been increasing steadily since 2021. In this divided nation, the Security Posture here reflects that reality. Norah, ive been covering seat of the Union Addresses since the early 90s. They are always a high security event, thats true. Security was tightened after 9 11 inevitably but this new layer of security represents Something Different which is a sense that members of congress have their under threat from fellow americans. Thats a new reality, its reflected in the posture here tonight. Norah Major Garrett, thank you. Given the highsecurity at a state of the union. Lets now listen in. Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States [cheers and applause] norah 9 16, the house sergeant of arms announcing the president s arrival into the House Chamber where he will no doubt take his time to do a grip and grin with everybody there. As has been noted, 36 years the United States senate, 50 year political career. So he knows many of these members quite well. With his Escort Committee on the way in. We watched this for the outfits, who is in the room and whos not and we been told by the white house that its the education secretary who is staying away tonight as the designated survivor, to the point about security. What a journey for president joe biden, first elected to the senate in 1972. For this is coming home in a sense, place were he forged his political career and so many of his closest personal friends and some foes. Matt gaetz, the florida congressman, right up there as the president enter the chamber. How long he has been at this, 41 years ago this year he gave the response to Ronald Reagan as a senator from delaware and now 41 years later he areas as president of the United States. Rose to prominence as one of the lines of the senate, known for cutting deals and working across the aisle at a time when that was sort of the highest honor you can have. Its become much more difficult today. But hes going to make the case in this speech im told that he has worked to compromise over the last several years and hes willing to do it again. Norah the state of the unions have sometimes become a laundry list of policy ideas but weijia jiang is with us and tonight, how the president delivers his speeches almost as important as whats in this speech, correct . Absolutely, norah. Thats because his physical performance tonight is on display. It is critical, as he tries to convince the American Public that he has the stamina and the Mental Fitness to serve as president , especially because we already know republicans have baked that into their response. So he has to answer in his delivery tonight whether, you know, its a question that continues to loom over him, whether at age 81 years old he is too old to serve as commander in chief. In recent weeks, he saw blistering special cost report that detailed his legging memory. We have seen him multiple times confused and ms. Speak about the names of places and people and so they have addressed this before. Look, everybody stumbles. But he has to be on point tonight. His advisors tell us thats exactly what youll see. They have set really high expectations, norah. They say that youre going to see a very energetic president who is in fighting form critical thought he might make a couple selfdeprecating jokes about his age which we have seen him do in recent days. One tells me hes so fired up and so well prepared and rehearsed that we wont even remember that his age is an issue. Norah . Norah weijia jiang, thank you. One of the topics we are told the president is going to address tonight is the issue of democracy and protecting democracy in america which seems like an odd thing you would have to actually talk about that. But later this week, tomorrow, his opponent and his campaign, donald trump, is meeting with viktor orban, in maralago, the leader of hungary who is considered a dictator. Behindthescenes President Biden is telling his advisors the stakes are high, not just red versus blue, republican versus democrat. For President Biden, this is about countering what he sees as the rising forces of nationalism. Here at home with donald trump and abroad in hungary with orban and other figures who have similar views worldwide and this is really about him reasserting, as margaret reported, his position on ukraine come about the United States having a presence in the world. I will Say Something thats fun. You always think about our constitution on nights like tonight, it says from time to time, the president will deliver a state of the union but its not necessary. I think back to 18011 president Thomas Jefferson decided to send letter and not address congress. Its not necessary to give this big speech but most president s say ill do it. Norah market, address those Foreign Policy issues. The Prime Minister of sweden is sitting the first ladys box and thats for a reason that is one of President Bidens all compliments here he would say is getting sweden and finland to join nato. Really that was Vladimir Putins a compliment when he invaded ukraine and absolutely terrified the rest of europe. Viktor orban, the Prime Minister of hungary has undermined the judiciary, the free press. He has stood in many ways of aid to ukraine at the e. U. And nato. To get that eight through, World Leaders had to conspire to have him outside the room when votess man is and he talked about not wanting races to be mixed in his country. That question of okay, he is a nato member, hes a world leader, meet with him. But whats the strategy . Why do you need to sit with his particular person . What is the message being sent . They have not explained it. They have not explained it. It goes back to the right wing nationalist embrace. He has spoken at conservative conferences, viktor orban has come other conservative leaders from el salvador and elsewhere have started to appear at some of these conservative gath gatherings. The old adage of Foreign Policy doesnt matter in politics is gone. The snake trumps speech, he talks about it a lot. President bidens presidency, the sense of richard nixon, not in the sense of watergate but in terms of Foreign Policy. Norah President Biden greeting Supreme Court Justice Ketanji brown jackson. Taken for a little bit of a ride for a president eager to show the country hes boisterous and up for the task. What if we watched him do . Talk to democrats and republicans, shake their hands and take photos. Confronted Marjorie Taylor greene or she confronted him. He took it and made talked briefly. Suggested, what are you worried about me being old . Here i am talking to these people on both sides of the aisle. Norah by our count a six minute walk or more where democratic members have engaged in whats a Campaign Type chant, four more years, i cant recall a time like that when the president is walking in. Its usually more ceremonial. This feels more like a Campaign Event and i wonder how that will change the tone of things when the president makes some of his policy remarks tonight. Theres just so much on the line, and the idea that the president is getting so much attention, taking selfies with members of congress and the ideas to make himself acce accessible, and the strategy here is to focus and think about some of those domestic issues that so many people are thinking about including the economy. How much people are paying for things. Thats what youre going to hear from the president tonight and you can imagine what he might be talking with these members of congress. So many of these Congress People are facing taxpayers at home who are worried that too much money is outflowing to ukraine, israel, and issues are not being taken care of here at home including inflation and shoring up the economy. The timing of this speech really gives him a big opportunity coming just two days after super tuesday, wednesday after nikki haley dropped out of the republican race. There are some 40 of her voters who told exit pollsters that they are not sold on voting for donald trump in the fall and so the biden team is making a very overt overture to those voters. I think youll hear it tonight. I think youll hear him lay out policies that they think will appeal to those independent or moderate voters on the right that they think are potentially gettable. Norah and now the president of the United States handing the state of the union, his remarks, of course speaker mike johnson, its his first night at the podium there. He has warned and counseled, i guess you could say, members of his conference, to be civil. Well see how they react tonight. Marjorie Taylor Greene said ill do what i want. Norah she had a baseball cap on in the House Chamber with make America Great. She does what she wants to do and shell be campaigning also with President Trump in the next coming days. One fun fact Vice President harris at the state of the unit has sat next to a different speaker of the house every year. Nancy pelosi, kevin mccarthy, mike johnson tonight. A sign, again, the instability in congress perhaps. Norah thats a good one, ed. Thank you. I like to learn something new. I try. Norah lets listen in now. To the president. President biden good evening. If i were smart, id go home n now. [cheering] mr. Speaker, madame Vice President , members of congress, my fellow americans, in january 1941 Franklin Roosevelt came to this chamber to speak to the nation and he said i address you at a moment unprecedented in the history of the union. Hitler was on the march. War was raging in europe. President roosevelts purpose was to wake up congress and alert the American People that this was no ordinary time. Freedom and democracy were under assault in the world. Tonight i come to the same chamber to address the nation. Now it is we who face an unprecedented moment in the history of the union and yes, my purpose tonight is to wake up the congress and alert the American People that this is no ordinary moment either. Not since president lincoln and the civil war have freedom and democracy been under assault at home as they are today. What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack both at home and overseas at the very same time. Overseas, putin of russia is on the march invading ukraine and sowing chaos throughout europe and beyond. If anybody in this room thinks putin will stop at ukraine, i assure you he will not. [applause] ukraine can stop putin. Ukraine can stop putin, if we stand with ukraine and provide the weapons it needs to defend itself. [applause] that is all, that is all ukraine is asking. They are not asking for american soldiers. In fact, there are no american soldiers in the war in ukraine and im determined to keep it that way. But now assistance to ukraine is being blocked by those who want to walk away from our World Leadership. Wasnt long ago when the republican president named Ronald Reagan thundered mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. [applause] now my predecessor, a former republican president , tells putin do whatever the hell you want. Thats a quote. A former president actually said that, bowing down to a russian leader. I think its outrageous. Its dangerous, and its unacceptable. [cheering] america is a Founding Member of nato. The military alliance of democratic nations created after world war ii to prevent war and keep the peace. And today, we have made nato stronger than ever. We welcome finland to the Alliance Last year. And just this morning sweden officially joined, and their minister is here tonight. Stand up. Welcome. Welcome, welcome, welcome. [applause] and they know how to fight. Mr. Prime minister, welcome to nato, the Strongest Military alliance the world has ever seen. I say this to congress, we have to stand up to putin. Send me a Bipartisan National Security bill. History is literally watching. History is watching. The United States walks away, it will put ukraine at risk. Europe is at risk. The free world will be at risk, emboldening others to do with they wish, to do us harm. My message to president putin who i am known for a long time is simple. We will not walk away. [applause] we will not bow down. I will not bow down. In a literal sense, history is watching. History is watching. Just like history watched three years ago on january 6th when insurrection us storm this very capital and placed a dagger to the throat of american democracy. Many of you were here on this darkest of days. We all saw with our own eyes the insurrectionists were not patriots. They had come to stop the peaceful transfer of power, to overturn the will of the people. January 6th lies about the 2020 election and the plots to steal election posed a grave threat to u. S. Democracy since the civil war. But they failed. America stood. America stood strong and democracy prevailed. We must be honest. The threat to democracy must be defended. My predecessor, some of you here seek to bury the truth about january 6th. I will not do that. This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Heres the simple truth. You cant love your country only when you win. [applause] as ive done ever since being elected to office, i ask all of you without regard to party to join together and defend democracy. Member your oath of office, defending against all threats foreign and domestic. Respect. Respect free and fair elections. Restore trust in our institutions and make clear Political Violence has absolutely no place, no place in america. Zero place. Again. Its not hyperbole. To suggest history is watching. Your children and grandchildren will read about this day and what we do. History is watching another assault on freedom. Joining us tonight is a social worker from birmingham, alabama, 14 months ago, 14 months ago she and her husband welcome to baby girl thanks to the miracle of ivf. She scheduled treatments to have that second child, the alabama Supreme Court shut down ivf treatments across the state. Unleashed by a Supreme Court decision overturning roe v. Wade, she was told her dream would have to wait but her family what her family had gone through should never have happened. Unless congress acts, it could happen again so tonight lets stand up for families like hers. To my friends across the outcome i dont keep this waiting any longer. Guarantee the right to ivf. Guarantee it nationwide. [applause] like most americans, i believe roe v. Wade got it right. I thank Vice President harris for being an incredible deleter, defending reproductive freedom. And so much more. Thank you. My predecessor came into office determined to see roe v. Wade overturned. Hes the reason it was overturned and he brags about it. Look at the chaos that has resulted. Join us tonight, joining us tonight is kate cox, a wife and mother from dallas, she has become pregnant again and had a fetus with a fatal condition. Her doctor told kate that her own life and her ability to have children in the future were at risk if she didnt act. Because texas law banned her ability to act, kate and her husband had to leave the state to get what she needed. What her family had gone through should have never happened as well but its happening into many others. There are state laws banning the freedom to choose, criminalizing doctors, forcing survivors of rape and to leave their states to get the treatment they need. Many in the chamber and my predecessor is promising to plan a national ban on reproductive freedom. What else would you take away. The decision to overturn roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court wrote the following and with all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral power. Excuse me. Electoral or political power. You are about to realize just how much. [cheering] clearly, clearly. Those bragging about overturning roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women. But they found out when reproductive freedom was on the ballot. We won in 2022 and well win again in 2024. [applause] a few, if you, the American People, send me to congress i promise to restore roe v. Wade as the law of the land again. Folks. America cannot go back. Im here tonight show and i believe is the way forward because i know how far weve come. Four years ag ago next week befe i came to office, the country was hit by the worst pandemic and the worst economic crisis in the century. Remember the fear, record losses, remember the spikes in crime and the murder rate, raging virus that took more than 1 million american lives, loved ones, millions left behind. A Mental Health crisis of isolation and loneliness. A president , my predecessor, failed in the most basic president ial duty that he owes to the American People, the duty to care. I think thats unforgivable. I came to office determined to get us through one of the toughest periods in the nations history. He have. It doesnt make news. In a thousand cities and towns, the American People are writing the greatest comeback story never been told. [applause] so lets tell the story here. Tell it here and now. Americas comeback is building the future of american possibilities, building an economy from the middle out in the bottom up, not the top down. Investing in all america, all americans to make sure everyone has a fair shot and we leave no one, no one behind. The pandemic no longer controls our lives. The vaccine that saved us from covid, now being used to beat cancer, turning sent back into comeback thats what america does. Thats what america does. [applause] folks, i inherited the economy i inherited was on the brink. Now 15 million new jobs, a record. Unemployment at 50 year lows. Record 16 million americans are starting Small Businesses in each one is a little act of hope. Historic job growth and Small Business growth for black and hispanic and asian americans. 800,000 new manufacturing jobs in america and counting. Where is it written we cant be the manufacturing capitol of the world . We are, we will. More people have Health Insurance today. More people have Health Insurance today than ever be before. The racial wealth gap is as small as its been in 20 years. Wages keep going up. Inflation keeps coming down. Inflation has dropped from 9 to 3 , the lowest in the world and trending lower. [applause] the landing is and will be soft. Now instead of importing foreign products and exporting american jobs, we are exporting American Products and creating american jobs. Right here in america where they belong. [applause] and it takes time but the American People are beginning to feel it. Consumer studies show Consumer Confidence is soaring. Buy america has been the law of the land since the 1930s. Past administrations, including my predecessor, including some democrats as well in the past, failed to buy american. Not anymore. On my watch, federal projects that you find like helping build american roads, bridges and highways will be made with American Products and built by american workers. Creating good paying american jobs. And thanks to our chips in science asked the United States is investing more in research envelopment than ever before. During the pandemic, the shortage of semiconductors, chips that drove up the price of everything from cell phones to automobiles and by the way, we invented those chips right here in america. Instead of having to import t them, private companies are now investing billions of dollars to build new chip factories here in america, creating tens of thousands of jobs, many of those jobs paying 100,000 a year and dont require a college degree. [applause] infect, my policies have attracted 650 billion in private sector investment, clean energy, advanced manufacturing creating tens of thousands of jobs here in america. And thanks. Thanks to our bipartisan infrastructure law, 46,000 new projects have been announced all across your communities. By the way, i noticed some of you that have strongly voted against it are there cheering on that money. Im with you. Im with you. If any of you dont that money in your district, just let me know. Modernizing roads and bridges, ports and airports, public transit. Removing poisonous lead pipes to every child can drink clean water without risk of brain damage. [applause] providing affordable high Speed Internet for every american no matter where you live. Urban, suburban, Rural Communities in red states and blue states. Record investments in tribal communities because of my investment in family farms. My investment in family farms led by my secretary of agriculture who knows more about this than anybody i know, were better able to stay in the family for those farms and the children and grandchildren dont have to leave home to make a living. Its transformative. Great comeback stories. Belvidere, illinois. Home to an auto plant for nearly 60 years. Before i came to office, the plant was on its way to shutting down. Thousands of workers feared for their livelihoods. Hope was fading. When i was elected to office and we went there knowing unions would make all the difference for uaw work like hell to keep the plant open and get these jobs back and we succeeded. Instead of auto factory shutting down, auto factories are reopening. Stateoftheart battery factories being built. [cheering] folks. The folks in belvidere, i say instead of your town being left behind, your community is moving forward again because incentive watching auto jobs of the future go overseas, 4,000 union jobs with higher wages are building the future in belvidere right here in america. [applause] here tonight is uaw president shawn fain, a great friend. Where are you . Stand up. And don sim, a thirdgeneration worker, uaw worker at belvidere. Sean, i was proud to be the first president to stand at the picket line and today don has a good job providing stability and pride and dignity as well. Showing once again wall street didnt build america. They are not bad guys. They didnt build it, though. The middleclass built the country and unions built the middle class. [applause] i say to the American People when america gets knocked down, we get back up. We keep going. Thats america. Thats you, the American People. Its because of you america is coming back. Its because of you our future is brighter. Its because of you that tonight we can proudly say the state of our union is strong and getting stronger. [cheering] four more years four more years four more years President Biden tonight i want to talk about the future of possibilities that we can build together, a future where the days of trickledown economics are over and the wealthy of the biggest corporations no longer get all the tax breaks. By the way, i understand corporations. I come from a state with more corporations than any of your states combined and i represented it for 36 years. Im not anticorporation. But i grew up in a home where trickledown economics didnt put much on my dads kitchen table. Thats why im determined to do turn things around so the middle class do well. We all do well. Theres more to do to make sure youre feeling the benefits of all we are doing. Americans pay more for Prescription Drugs and anywhere in the world. Its wrong. And im ending it. [applause] the law that i propose and sign, not one of the republican buddies voted for it. We finally beat big pharma. Instead of paying 400 a month or thereabouts for insulin with diabetes, it will only cost ten bucks to make and they only get paid 35 a month now and still make a healthy profit. [applause] what to do next, i want to cap the cost of insulin 35 a month for every american who needs it, everyone. For years, people have talked about it but finally we got it done and give medicare the power to negotiate lower prices on Prescription Drugs, just like the va is able to do for veterans. Thats not just saving seniors money. Its saving taxpayers money. We cut the federal deficit by 160 billion. Because medicare will no longer have to pay those exorbitant prices to big pharma. This year, medicare is negotiating lower prices for some of the costliest drugs on the market to treat everything from Heart Disease to arthritis. Its now time to go further and give medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for 500 different drugs over the next decade. [applause] they are making a lot of money, guys. And theyll still be extremely profitable. Not only will save lives, it will save taxpayers another 200 billion. Starting next year, the same law caps total Prescription Drug costs for seniors on medicare at 2,000 a year. Even for expensive cancer drugs that cost 10,000, 12,000. Cap the cost at 2,000 a year for everyone. Folks. Im going to get in trouble for saying that. Flying to toronto, berlin, moscow. Excuse me. Even moscow, probably. Bring your prescription with you. I promise you ill get it for you for 40 the cost youre paying now, same company, same drug, same place. Folks. The Affordable Care act, the old obamacare, still a very big d deal. [cheers and applause] over 100 million of you can no longer be denied Health Insurance because of a preexisting condition. My predecessor and many in this chamber want to take that away by repealing Affordable Care a act. [scattered boos] i am not going to let that happen. We stopped you 50 times before and will stop you again. In fact, im not only protecting it. Im expanding it. The enacted tax credits of 800 per person per year, reduce Health Care Costs for millions of working families. That tax credit expires next year. I want to make that savings permanent. [applause] to state the obvious, women are more than half our population. The research on Womens Health has always been underfunded. Thats why were launching the first ever White House Initiative on Womens Health research led by jill, doing an incredible job as first lady. [applause] we will pass my pan for 12 billion in Womens Health research and benefit lives all across america. I know the costing of housing is so important to you. Inflation keeps coming down. Mortgage rates will come down as well and the fed acknowledges that but im not waiting. I want to provide an annual tax credit that will give americans 400 a month for the next two years as Mortgage Rates come down to put towards mortgages when they buy their first home or trade up for a little more space. For two years. [applause] and my administration is also eliminating Title Insurance on federally backed mortgages. When you refinance your home, you can save 1,000 or more as a consequence. For millions of renters, we are cracking down on big landlords who break antitrust laws by pricefixing and driving up rents. We have cut red tape so builders can get federal financing which is helping build a record 1. 7 million new Housing Units nationwide. Now to build and renovate 2 million Affordable Homes and bring those rents d down. [applause] to remain the strongest economy in the world, we need to have the best Education System in the world. And i, like i suspect all of you, want to give a child, every child a good start by providing access to preschool for three and 4 years old. You know. I think i pointed out last year. I think i pointed out last year that children coming from broken homes where there is no books, they are not read to or spoken to very often start school, kindergarten or first grade, having heard a million fewer words spoken. Studies show that children who go to preschool are 50 more likely to finish high school, go on to earn a two and fouryear degree no matter what their background is. [applause] a year and a half ago i met with the leaders of the business roundtable. They were angry. They were discussing why i wanted to spend money on education. I pointed out to them as Vice President , i met with over i think it was 182 of those folks. Dont hold me to the exact number. I asked them what they need most, the ceos. Youve had the same experience on both sides of the aisle. They say a better workforce. I looked at them and i say, i come from delaware. Dupont used to be the eighth Largest Corporation in the wo world. And every New Enterprise they bought, the educated the workforce to that enterprise but none of you do that anymore. Why are you angry with me reviving you the opportunity for the best educated workforce in the world . They all look to be and said, i think youre right. I want to expand highquality tutoring and Summer Learning to see that every child learns to read by third grade. [applause] i am also connecting local businesses and high schools so students get handson experience and a path to good paying jobs whether or not they go to college and a i want to make sure college is more affordable. Lets continue increasing the pell grants to working and middleclass families and increase record investments in hbcus and minority serving institutions including hispanic institutions. [applause] i was told i couldnt universally just change the way in which you dealt with student loans. I fixed two student loan programs and already existed to reduce the burden of student debt for nearly 4 million americans including nurses, firefighters, and others in public service. Like a public educator from minnesota who is here with us, where are you . Thank you. He has educated hundreds of students so they can go to college. Now hes able to help after Debt Forgiveness get his own daughter to college. [applause] folks, look. Such relief is good for the economy because folks are now able to buy home, start a business, start a family. While we are at it, i want the Public School teachers to get a raise. [applause] by the way, the first couple years, we cut the deficit. Now let me speak to the question of fundamental fairness for all americans. I have been delivering real results in fiscally responsible ways. We have already cut the federal deficit over a trillion dollars. I signed the bipartisan deal to cut another trillion dollars in the next decade. Its my goal to cut the federal deficit another 3 trillion by making Big Corporations in the very wealthy finally beginning to pay their fair share. [applause] look. Im a capitalist. Make a million or millions of bucks, thats great. Just pay your fair share in taxes. A fair tax code is how we invest to make this country great. Health care, education, defense and so much more but heres the deal. The last administration enacted into trillion dollar tax cut, overwhelmingly benefit the top 1 , the very wealthy and the biggest corporations and exploded the federal deficit. They added more to the National Debt than any president ial term in american history. Check the numbers. Folks at home, does anybody really think the tax code is fair . No President Biden do you really think that wealthy corporations need another 2 trillion tax break . No President Biden i sure dont. Im going to keep fighting like to make it fair. Under my plan, nobody earning less than 400,000 will pay an additional penny in federal taxes. They havent yet. In fact. The Child Tax Credit i passed during the pandemic cut taxes for millions of working families and cut Child Poverty in half. Restore that Child Tax Credit. No child should go hungry in this country. The way to make the tax code fair is to make Big Corporations and the very wealthy begin to pay their fair share. Remember in 2020, 55 of the Biggest Companies in america made 40 billion and paid 0 in federal income tax, 0. Not anymore. Thanks to the law i wrote and we signed Big Companies have to pay a minimum 15 but that is still less then working people pay in federal taxes. Its time to raise corporate minimum tax to at least 21 . [applause] so every Big Corporation finally begins to pay their fair share. I also want to end tax breaks for big pharma, big oil, massive executive pay. They can pay them 20 million if they want but deduct a million. End it now. There are 1,000 billionaires in america. Do you know the average federal taxes for those billionaires . [indistinct] President Biden no. Great sacrifices. 8. 2 . Far less then the vast majority of americans pay. No billionaire should pay a lower federal tax rate than a teacher, sanitation worker, or a nurse. [applause] i propose a minimum tax for billionaires of 25 . Just 25 . Do you know what that would raise . That would raise 500 billion over the next ten years. Imagine what that could do for america. Imagine a future with affordable child care, millions of families can get what they need to go to work and help grow the economy. Imagine a future with paid leave because no one should have to choose between working and taking care of their family member. Imagine a future of health care and eldercare and People Living with disabilities that they can stay in their homes and family caregivers can finally get the pay they deserve. Tonight lets all agree once again to stand up for seniors. Many of my friends on the other side of the i want to put Social Security on the chopping block. If anyone here tries to cut Social Security, medicare or raise the retirement age, i will stop you. [applause] the working people, the working people who built this country pay more into Social Security than millionaires and billionaires do. Its not fair. We have two ways to go. Republicans can cut Social Security and get more tax breaks to the wealthy. Thats the proposal. [scattered boos] oh, no, you guys dont want another 2 trillion tax cut . I kind of thought thats what your plan was. Well, thats good to hear. Youre not going to cut another 2 trillion for the super wealthy. Thats good to hear. Ill protect and strengthen Social Security and make the wealthy pay their fair share. Look. Too many corporations raise prices to pad their profits, charging more and more for less and less. Thats why we are cracking down on corporations engaged in price gouging and deceptive pricing from food to health care to housing. In fact, the snack Companies Think you will notice if they change the size of the bag and put a hell of a lot fewer, same size bag, put fewer chips in it. Im not joking. Its called shrinkflation. Past bobby caseys bill and stop this. I really mean it. Probably all saw that commercial on snickers bars. You get charged the same amount and youve got about 10 fewer snickers in it. Look, im also getting rid of junk fees, those hidden fees at the end of your bill that are there without your knowledge. My administration announced we are cutting credit card late fees from 32 to 8. [applause] banks and Credit Card Companies are allowed to charge what it cost them to instigate the collection, and thats more like 8. 30 some dollars. They dont like it. Credit Card Companies dont like it. But im saving American Families 20 billion a year with all the junk fees im eliminating. Folks at home, thats why the banks are so mad. 20 billion in profit. Im not stopping there. My administration has proposed rules to make cable, travel, utilities, Online Ticket sellers tell you the total price up front so there are no surprises. It matters. It matters. And so does this. In november, my team began serious negotiations with a Bipartisan Group of senators. The result was a bipartisan bill with the toughest set of Border Security reforms weve ever seen. Oh, you dont think so . Oh, you dont like that bill . That conservatives got together and said was a good bill. Ill be darned. Thats amazing. That bipartisan bill would hire 1,500 more security agents and officers. 100 more Immigration Judges to help tackle the back load of cases. More asylum officers and new officers so they can resolve cases in six months instead of six years now. What are you against . 100 more hightech drug detection machines to significantly increase the ability to screen and stop vehicle smuggling fentanyl into america. Its killing thousands of children. This bill would save lives. Bring order to the border. It will also give me any new president new Emergency Authority to temporarily shut down the border with a number of migrants at the border is overwhelming. The Border Patrol unit has endorsed this bill. The federal chamber of commerce yeah, yeah. Look at the facts. I know. I know you know how to read. I believe that given the opportunity for a majority in the house and senate would endorse the bill as well. A majority right now. But unfortunately politics has derailed this bill so far. Im told my predecessor called members of congress and the senate to demand they block the bill. He feels it would be a political win for me and a political lose for him. Its not about me. Its not about him. I would be a winner [indistinct shouting] [scattered boos] President Biden inc. And riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, t. How many thousands of people being killed to her parents, i say, my heart goes out to you, having lost children myself, i understand. But look, if we change the dynamic at the border people pay these smugglers a thousand bucks to get across the border because they know if they get by, if they get by and let into the country its 68 years before they have a hearing. Its worth taking the chance. But if its only six weeks, the idea is its highly unlikely that people pay that money and come all the way knowing theyll be able to be kicked out quickly. Folks. I would respectfully suggest my republican friends over to the American People, get this bill done, we need to act now. [applause] [chanting] if my predecessor is watching, incentive playing politics and pressuring members of congress to block the bill, join me in telling the congress to pass it. We can do it together. But it is what he will not do. I will not demonize immigrants, saying that they are poisoning the blood of our country. I will not separate families. I will not abandon people because of their faith, unlike my predecessor, and my first day in office, i introduced a conference of bill to fix the immigration system, take a look at it, as all of these and more, secure the border, provided pathway to citizenry for dreamers. But unlike my predecessor i know who we are as americans and we are the only nation in the world with the heart and soul that draws from old and new. Home to native americans and ancestors that have been here for thousands of years, home to people from every place on ea earth. They came freely. Some came in chains. Some came when famine struck like my ancestral family in ireland, some to flee persecution, to chase dreams that are impossible anywhere but here in america. Thats america. We all come from somewhere but we are all american. Look, folks. We have a simple choice. We can fight about fixing the border or we can fix it. Im ready to fix it. Send me the border bill now transformational moment in history have been 59 years ago today in selma, alabama. Hundreds of foot soldiers for justice marched across the Edmund Pettus bridge, to claim their fundamental right to vote. They were beaten, they were bloody, they were left for dead. Our late friend and former colleague john lewis was on that march. We miss him. [applause] joining us tonight our other marchers both in the gallery and on the floor, including bettie mae fikes, known as the voice of selma, the daughter of preachers and singers, she sang songs of prayer and protest on that bloody sunday to help shape the nations conscience. Five months later, the Voting Rights act passed and was signed into law. [applause] thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 59 years later, there are forces taking us back in time. Voter suppression, election subversion, unlimited dark money, extreme gerrymandering, john lewis was a great friend to many of us here but if you truly want to honor him and all the heroes that marched with him, then its time to do more than talk. Pass the freedom to vote act the john lewis Voting Rights a act. [applause] and stop, stop denying another core value of america, our diversity across american life. Banning books, its wrong. Instead of erasing history, lets make history. I want to protect fundamental rights. Past the equality act. Two transgender americans, i have your back. Pass the act for workers rights. Raise the federal minimum wage because every worker has a right to decent living, more than seven bucks an hour. We are also making history by confronting the Climate Crisis, not denying it. I dont think any of you think there is no longer a Climate Crisis, at least i hope you dont. I am taking the most significant action ever on climate in the history of the world. Im cutting our Carbon Emissions in half by 2030, creating tens of thousands of Clean Energy Jobs like the ibew workers building and installing 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations. Conserving 30 of americas land and water by 2030. Taking action on environmental justice, communities and the legacy of pollution. I launched the climate core to put 20,000 young people to work in the forefront of our clean energy future. I will triple that number in a decade. [applause] to state the obvious, all americans deserve the freedom to be safe. America is safer today than when i took office. The year before i took office, murder rates were up 30 . [indistinct shouting] President Biden the biggest increase in history. It was then through my American Rescue plan which every american voted against i might add, we made the largest investment in Public Safety ever. Last year the murder rates dropped the sharpest. Violent crime felt one of its lowest levels in 50 years but we have more to do. Helping cities invest in more Community Police officers, more Mental Health workers, more community. Give communities the tools to crack down on gun crime, retail crime, and carjacking. Keep building trust, as ive been doing by taking executive action on Police Reform and calling for it to be the law of the land. Directing my cabinet to review the federal classification of marijuana, expending thousands of convictions. Nobody should be jailed for simply using it or having it on the record. Take on crimes of domestic violence. I am ramping up the federal enforcement of the violence against women act that i proudly wrote when i was a senator. So we can finally, finally end the scourge against women in america. [applause] there are other kinds of violence i want to stop. With us tonight is jasmine, whos 9yearold sister jackie was murdered with 21 classmates and teachers in an Elementary School in uvalde, texas. After that happened, jill and i went to uvalde. We heard their message so everyone here could hear that same message, the constant refrain. I was there for hours meeting with every family, they said do something. Do something. I did do something by establishing the First Ever Office of gun violence prevention in the white house. The Vice President is leading the charge. Thank you. Meanwhile. [applause] meanwhile, my predecessor told the nra hes proud he did nothing on guns when he was president. After another shooting in iowa recently, he said, when asked what to do about it, he said just get over it. Because what his quote. Just get over it. I say stop it stop it, stop it, stop it. [applause] i am proud we beat the nra when i signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years because of this congress. We now almost beat the nra again. Im demanding ban on assault weapons and highcapacity magazines. Past universal background ch checks. None of this, none of this, i taught the second member for 12 years, none of this violates the Second Amendment or vilifies responsible gun owners. We are managing crises abroad including in the middle east. I know the last five months have been gutwrenching for so many people, for the israeli people, for the palestinian people, and so many here in america. This crisis began on october 7th with a massacre by a terrorist group called hamas, as you all know. 1,200 innocent people, women and girls, men and boys slaughtered after enduring sexual violence. The deadliest day for the jewish people since the holocaust. At 200 hostages taken. Here in this Chamber Tonight our families whose loved ones are still being held by hamas. I pledge to all the families we will not rest until we bring everyone of your loved ones home. [applause] we will also work around the clock to bring home evan and paul come americans being unjustly detained by the russians. And in others around the world. Israel has a right to go after hamas. Hamas entered this conflict by releasing hostages. Laying down arms could end it. Releasing the hostages, laying down arms and surrendering those responsible for october 7th. But israel excuse me. Israel has an added burden because hamas hides among the civilian population like cowards. Hospital, day care centers. Israel has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in gaza. [applause] this war. Has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians and all previous wars in gaza combined. More than 30,000 palestinians have been killed, most of whom are not hamas. Thousands and thousands of innocent women and children, girls and boys also orphan. Nearly 2 million more palestinians under bombardment or displacement. Homes destroyed, neighborhoods and rubble, cities in ruin. Families without food, water, medicine. Its heartbreaking. Ive been working nonstop to establish an immediate ceasefire that would last for six weeks to get all the prisoners released, all the hostages released, get the hostages home and ease the intolerable humanitarian crisis and build toward an enduring, something more enduring. United states leading International Efforts to get more humanitarian assistance to gaza. Tonight im directing the u. S. Military to lead an Emergency Mission to establish a temporary pure in the mediterranean on the coast of gaza they can receive large shipments of food, water, medicine and temporary shelter. No u. S. Boots will be on the ground. A temporary pier will enable a massive increase in military insiassistance humanitarian assistance. Israel must do its part. Israel must allow more aid into gaza and ensure humanitarian workers arent caught in the cross fire. They are announcing their going to have a crossing in northern gaza. To the leadership of israel, i say this, humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority. As we look to the future the only real solution to the situation is a twostate solution over time. [applause] and i say this. As a lifelong supporter of israel, my entire career, no one has a stronger record with israel than i do. I challenge any of you here. Im the only american president to visit israel in wartime. But there is no other path that guarantees israels security and democracy. There is no other path that guarantees palestinians can live in peace, peace and dignity. No other path that guarantees peace between israel and all of its neighbors including saudi arabia with whom im talking. Crating stability in the middle east also means containing the threat posed by iran. Thats why i built a Boat Coalition of more than a dozen countries to defend International Shipping and freedom of navigation in the red sea. I ordered strikes to degrade the houthi region. As commander in chief i will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and military personnel. [applause] for years ive heard many of my republican and democratic friends say that china is on the rise. And america is falling behind. Theyve got it backwards. Ive been saying it for over four years, even when i wasnt president. America is rising. We have the best economy in the world. Since ive come to office, gdp is up, trade deficit is down to the lowest point in over a decade and we are standing up against chinas unfair economic practices. Standing up for peace and stability across the taiwan straits. I have revitalized our partnership and alliance in the pacific. India, australia, japan, south korea, pacific islands. Ive made sure that the most advanced American Technologies cant be used in china, not allowing to trade them there. Frankly for all the tough talk on china it never occurred to my predecessor to do any of that. I want competition with china, not conflict. We are in a stronger position to win back the conflict in the 21st century against china than anyone else for that matter than any time as well. Here at home, i have signed over 400 by patterson bills. Bipartisan bills. Past bipartisan progress to protect our children online. Harness the promise of ai to protect us from peril. Ban ai voice impersonations and more. To keep our truly sacred obligation to train and equip those we send into harms way and care for them and their families when they come home and when they dont. Thats why i sought the support and help from dennis and the va i signed the pact act, one of the most significant laws ever. Helping millions of veterans exposed to toxins who are now battling more than 100 different cancers. Many of them dont come home. We owe them and their families support. We owe it to ourselves to keep supported or new Health Research agency and remind us that we can do big things like end cancer as we know it, and we will. [applause] let me close with this. [cheering] yay. I know you dont want to hear anymore but ive got to say a few more things. I know it may not look like it but ive been around a while. When you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever. I know the american story. Again and again ive seen the contest between competing forces and the battle for the soul of our nation, between those who want to pull america back to the pass and those who want to move america to the future. My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy, based on core values that defined america, honesty, decency, dignity, equality, to respect everyone, to give everyone a fair try, to give hate no safe harbor. Other people my age see it differently. The american story of resentment, revenge and retribution. Thats not me. I was born mid world war ii when america stood for the freedom of the world. I grew up in scranton, pennsylvania, claymont, delaware, among workingclass people who built this country. I watched in horror as two of my heroes, like many of you did, dr. King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated and their legacies inspired me to pursue a career in service. I left a law firm, b culp became a public defender. My city was the only city occupied by the National Guard after dr. King was assassinated because of the riots. I became a county councilman almost by accident. I got elected to the United States senate when i had no intention of running at age 29. Then Vice President of our first black president , now president of the first woman Vice President. [cheers and applause] in my career, ive been told i was too young. [laughter] by the way, they didnt that me on the senate elevators for votes sometimes, not a joke. Ive been told im tooled. Ive been told im too old. Ive always known what endures, i have known our northstar. The very idea of america is that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We have never fully lived up to that idea. But we have never walked away from it either and i wont walk away from it now. Im optimistic. I really am, im optimistic, nancy. [applause] my fellow americans. The issue facing our nation isnt how old we are. Its how old are our ideas. Hey hate, anger revenge or tradn are the oldest of ideas but you cant lead america with ancient ideas. It will only take us back. You need a vision for the future and what can and should be done. Tonight youve heard mine. I see a future where defending democracy, you dont diminish it. I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect our freedoms, not take them a away. [applause] ia future where the middle class has a fair shot on the wealthy have to pay their fair share in taxes. I see a future where we save the planet from the Climate Crisis in our country from gun violence. Above all. I see a future for all americans, i see a country for all americans. Ill always be president for all americans because i believe in america. I believe in you, the American People. Youre the reason weve never been more optimistic about our future than i am now so lets build a future together. Lets remember who we are. We are the United States of america and there is nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we act together. God bless you all and may god protect our troops. Thank you, thank you, thank you. [cheers and applause] norah and there it is. President biden delivering up feisty and animated state of the Union Address tonight. Probably one of the most political addresses ive ever heard, before a joint chamber at this time drawing a sharp contrast with republicans. While he did not mention Donald Trumps name, he referred to his predecessor more than a dozen times, taunting republicans at times in a vigorous address. I want to bring in our chief political analyst, john dickerson. John. Im going to pluck two words out of the speech President Biden used. He used each of them 13 times. One is the one you just mentioned, predecessor or my predecessor. Referring to donald trump as a threat to american democracy is great is the one america faced in 1941. You cannot set the stakes any higher than that. In terms of defining who hes running against. The other word he used 13 times is fair, its a policy argument he was making when he talked about lowering drug prices, helping teachers get paid more, helping others go up the ladder of opportunity, helping with housing. All of those policies, those are to help people who are in the middle class and lower. How was he going to pay for it . By increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Its a populist pitch aimed at fairness. The speech will fade but those two things, how he defined his opponent and that notion of fairness is pretty much the argument from now until nov november. Norah nancy cordes is our chief white house correspondent. Nancy, you covered this president closely. Hes been criticized for sometimes flopping a speech, going off script. Tonight was a bit different. This seemed to be a speech designed first and foremost to show that joe biden has the stamina and the fire in the belly to go another four years. It was designed to be delivered with high energy. He even broke into a call and response at one point. Democratic lawmakers played along. He told jokes. But he came out of the gate criticizing donald trump donald trump on ukraine and then on january 6th. That was unexpected. He accused him of unleashing chaos when it comes to reproductive rights and pandering to Vladimir Putin. It seemed to me that this white house understood that one of the biggest obstacles to reelection for him are the persistent voter questions about the president s age. The white house set out to try to address those questions with a speech in which he adlibbed about everything from taxes to stickers. To snickers. Norah ive been struck by that. Weve covered so many where the president begins with the mystic issues. Foreign policy isnt considered that interesting but he began with ukraine. He began with his predecessor and putin and said my predecessor, a former republican president , tell putin do whatever the hell you want, saying that he will bow down. Its outrageous, its dangerous, its undetectable. Sometimes timing is everything in politics. What happened just days ago, super tuesday, former Ambassador Nikki Haley got out of the race. President biden tonight making a pitch to nikki haleys voters, traditional republicans who might feel like they dont have a home in Donald Trumps Republican Party, he is quoting Ronald Reagan. Hes talking about january 6th, and hes saying to them im building a coalition thats not only progressives and democrats but could include some republicans. You look, sometimes a picture tells a thousand words. You see President Biden mingling on the house floor. Democrats all smiles, some centrists from the new jersey delegation, i saw senator Bernie Sanders come up with a big grin to say hello to President Biden. Theyre happy tonight. The president kicked off his campaign with a forceful speech, giving democrats in that room and nationally a lot of confidence that he has what it takes for a rough campaign against trump. You could hear congressman of texas saying you were on fire. Danny davis saying you fired us all up. Those guys represent moderates and the party and urban liberals. May have been a partisan speech designed to be a campaign kickoff, different from most state of the unions but it meets the moment, the political moment we are in and its the speech democrats have been desperately waiting for him to give. The question is, can he do it in a nonstage setting . Can he get out in the campaign trail and deliver this in those border states or some of the swing states something his fellow democrats have asked him to do more of. Dont just send a cabinet secretary to unveil the bridge that you built, come yourself. They want to see the president more active. Norah one of those battleground states is the state of georgia which of course is going to be an upcoming trial that donald trump faces for fake collectors there and also in that state of course the very sad story about the student who was just murdered by an undocumented migrant. This was one of those, somewhat unscripted moments when you saw joe biden enter the floor, he was confronted by Marjorie Taylor greene of georgia, she is wearing a redneck make America Great hat again but she also has the pin of laken riley. They were not notified the alleged killer had pass offenses where he couldve been deported and he wasnt. Back and forth blaming the federal government for what happened to this Nursing Student who was brutally murdered allegedly by venezuelan migrant. She has come to symbolize for some of these republicans a lack of federal action and he adlibbed during that speech. He picked up the pin. He said her name. Laken riley is someone that donald trump called the parents to express sympathies. He has framed it about migrant crime on the campaign trail. Joe biden tried to revive this bipartisan bill that he negotiated or his white house negotiated with senators that he laid out would have surged resources and actually delivered on some of these conservative priorities, as you mentioned, norah, at the top of the program. They were actually endorsed by Border Patrol. One thing that was really striking to me, we were just seeing President Biden interacting with punishment adam schiff which is faced a big primary in california. He is losing among young voters, he is struggling to get the young vote and this speech felt different. It was a most like he had written it and had prepared it for social media clips. Norah you covered technology for us. Yes, and you can see this living on instagram, snapchat, tiktok. Little moments to reach all the people who are definitely not watching tonight. Whats really interesting on the economy, he is plaintiff able who really feel the pain of the current economic situation, he made a promise that was entirely adlibbed. He said the landing is and will be soft, thats implying there will be no recession. Rates will come down and jobs will be fine. Thats a very, very big promise to be making when the road to inflation has been really bumpy. Chairman powell at the fed has been very hesitant to cut rates. One of the things that i would note, norah, and the most extensive comments ive seen to date president did something which progressives have asked for, he said upwards of 30,000 People Killed in gaza. Three and a half pages on israel and hamas in that conflict. Its something that he saw at the ballot box democrats saying to him they dont support his policies. Norah as we are approaching ramadan, this is the key moment because the president is hoping to get some sort of ceasefire before will could be very dangerous situation is this humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding. To build on the excellent reporting, the headlines are going to be Foreign Policy, nods to his predecessor donald trump but a lot of Economic News in the speech. You see the president really making a pitch to labor voters, union voters. Shawn fain, United Auto Workers president up in the first ladys box and you saw him on Corporate America with strong language, antitrust issues, corporate size and scope and power in this country. This was a populist, progressive speech. He needs those voters to come out and not be drifting towards trump on the populist front. Norah we want to bring in Major Garrett because he has followed congress and president so closely for so many years. Your take on his remarks tonight . Major its not over complicate this. This was a base Mobilization Campaign speech. Yes it has the trappings of the seat of the Union Address but almost every policy priority the president identified and these that margaret mentioned, palestinian civilian deaths in gaza, its about shoring up and reenergizing a democratic constituency in preparation for the general election campaign. This era of negative partisanship were the most important thing for a political leader to do is and energize your base and then find whatever additional voters you can, tonights speech was exactly tailored to that imperative. Norah isnt that so critically important . Because we have seen the reason that donald trump is leading joe biden in seven of these battleground states and in most National Polls is because hes underwater with his own base. Continues to show theres a lack of enthusiasm in democrats versus republicans. Norah let me ask because people of talked about President Bidens age. What did he show tonight . Was he trying to put to rest doubts about his vigor . Absolutely. They wont be put to rest by one speech but he did prove he can go an hour or more. There were no major mistakes. One of the biggest moments from his speech last year was on scripture. It was on Social Security, where republicans were booing, pushing back on point he made, saying oh, you dont want to cut Social Security . Ill take note of that for this year im going to do a lot more of that. He kept calling out republicans, saying you dont like my Border Security bill . Norah i want to get the take of some of our contributors, democrats, republicans who have been inside many of these campaigns, knowing the ins and outs of that. A democrat who worked for Vice President kamala harris, so good to have you. What did you make of this remark . The president s remarks and you think it puts to rest some of these concerns among the democratic base. The president silenced all the haters tonight. I felt like he was mayweather inner ring, punch after punch after punch. I think the democrats barely sat down. With high energy and i agree with what everyone has said, this speech was made for ads. If you look at the speech, short, pithy. The one point i appreciated is he addressed all of his vulnerabilities from the border to the economy to abortion, and put the responsibility about an action squarely at the doorstep of the Republican Party. Set on many occasions bring me the bill, including the border, bring me the bill, ill sign it. Take action to reinstate roe vs. Wade so thats what i thought was so powerful about the speech. Not just to energize the base but its targeted to those nikki haley voters that are trying to find a home. I think you can find home with all the issues today. Norah you can see as the chamber is emptying, Many Democrats remaining and the president , he is still there. 10 45 at night. I want to bring in Terry Osullivan, cbs news political contributor hes worked for Many Republican campaigns. It was noteworthy to watch the House Speaker mike johnson for the first time there behind him, the times and he did stand up in the times he didnt. Some of your colleagues like mike murphy have said i never thought in my lifetime i was he republican House Speaker who wont stand and clap for stopping russian aggression into your. In the state of the union, the president is king. He controls the room and its difficult to be anybody else being in that room or even as we are about to see the followup speeches, difficult thing to follow. He was in control and he had a lot of energy and it was tough to understand, is this a Campaign Rally or was this a state of the union speech . I think he took a lot of republicans flatfooted. He certainly got the energy but im not sure that it was traditional, as you said, norah, much more political speech than a normal state of the union. He seemed to be trolling a lot of the republicans looking to engage them in a dialogue morsel and give a typical state of the union speech. Norah Terry Osullivan bringing up the word trolling. He was engaging with them on many different occasions. I want to go to Scott Macfarlane in the room, he covers congress. What did you see . Two different people removed during the course of the address, they were spectators, one screaming about the death of a u. S. Service member and another person just behind me yelled you lie when he was addressing issues of the middle east. What strikes me most, the president s back here next year, wins reelection gives another state of the Union Address, dozens of the people he was looking at on the floor will not. Theres a retirement wave underway in congress right now. By the dozens people are calling it quits. Leaving at the end of this year, frustrated by the good lock the toxicity the gridlock and toxicity of politics in washington. Its always next ordinary day, state the union. It kind of already was an extraordinary day in congress. The phone lines were jammed by angry tiktok users. Congress moved swiftly towards ability could lead to tiktok either divesting from its chinese based company or getting banned in america. It consumed this day before this historic address. Norah Scott Macfarlane, thank you. All right, when we come back, alabama senator katie britt will have the republican response to tonights state of the union. vo sail through the heart of historic cities and unforgettable scenery with viking. Unpack once and get closer to iconic landmarks, local life and cultural treasures. Because when you experience europe on a viking longship, youll spend less time getting there and more time being there. Viking. Exploring the world in comfort. Hi, im ron reagan, an unabashed atheist, and im alarmed, as you may be, by the intrusions of religion into our secular government. Thats why im asking you to join the freedom from Religion Foundation, the nations largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics working to keep state and church separate, just like our founders intended. Please join the freedom from Religion Foundation today. Ron reagan, lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell. Norah welcome back to cbs News Coverage of President Biden state of the union. Its now time for the republican response and we are about to hear from the youngest or trickle republican woman ever elected to the senate, katie britt of alabama. For more on why the party chose her lets go to our Congressional Correspondent Nikole Killion at the capitol. Nicole. Norah, senator katie britt is considered a rising star within the Republican Party and her name is even then tossed around as a potential Vice President ial pick for former President Trump. At 42, as you mention, shes the youngest republican woman in the u. S. Senate, the first female senator elected from the state of alabama. She has two school aged children. Thats something shes likely to lean into in this speech, calling the Republican Party the party of parents and working families. You can also expect that shes going to draw a very sharp contrast with President Biden depicting him as too old, out of pace, out of touch. According to experts she will say our commander in chief is not in command and call him a dithering and diminished leader. You can also expect she will touch on g. O. P. Talking points from crime to the border, Foreign Policy, she considers this speech huge honor. Norah Nikole Killion on capitol hill. Here now senator katie britt. Good evening, america. My name is katie britt and i have the honor of serving the people of the great state of alabama in the United States senate. However, thats not the job that matters most. I am a proud wife and mom of two schoolaged kids. My daughter bennett and my son ridgway earl y ran for the senate. Im worried about the future and the future of children in every corner of our nation and thats why i invited you into our home tonight. Like so many families across america, my husband wesley and i just watched President Biden state of the Union Address from our living room and what we saw was the performance of the permanent politician who has actually been in office for longer than ive been alive. One thing was quite clear though. President biden just doesnt get it. Hes out of touch. Under his administration, families are worse off. Our communities are less safe, and our country is less secure. I just wish he understood what real families are facing around kitchen tables just like this one. You know, this is where our family has tough conversations. Its where we make hard decisions. Its where we share the good, the bad, and the ugly of our days. Its where we laugh together and its where we hold each others hands and pray for gods guidance. And many nights, to be honest, its where wesley and i worry. I know were not alone. And so tonight the American Family needs to have a tough conversation because the truth is were all worried about the future of our nation. The country we know and love seems to be slipping away and it feels like the next generation will have fewer opportunities and less freedoms than we did. I worry my own children may not even get a shot at living their American Dreams. My American Dream allowed me, the daughter of two Small Business owners from rural enterprise, alabama, to be elected to the United States senate at the age of 40. Growing up, sweeping the floor at my dads Hardware Store and cleaning the bathroom at my moms dance studio, i never couldve imagined what my story would entail. To think about what the American Dream can do across just one generation in just one lifetime. Its truly breathtaking. But right now the American Dream has turned into a nightmare. For so many families. The true unvarnished state of our union begins and ends with this. Our families are hurting. Our country can do better. And you dont have to look any further than the crisis at our southern border to see it. President biden inherited the most secure border of all time. But minutes after taking office, he suspended all deportations. He halted the construction the border wall, and he announced a plan to give amnesty to millions. We know that President Biden didnt just create this border crisis. He invited it with 94 executive actions in his first 100 days. When i took office, i took a different approach. I traveled to the del rio sector of texas. Thats where i spoke to a woman who shared her story with me. She had been traffic by the cartels starting at the age of 12 she told me not just that she was raped every day but how many times a day she was raped. The cartels put her on a mattress in a shoe box of a room and they sent men through that door over and over again for hours and hours on end. We wouldnt be okay with this happening in a third world country. This is the United States of america, and it is past time in my opinion that we start acting like it. President bidens border policies are a disgrace. This crisis is despicable and the truth is it is almost entirely preventable. From fentanyl poisonings to horrific murders, there are empty chairs tonight at kitchen tables just like this one. Because of President Bidens senseless border policies. Just think about laken riley. In my neighboring state of georgia, this beautiful 22yearold Nursing Student went out on a jog one morning but she never got the opportunity to return home. She was brutally murdered by one of the millions of illegal Border Crossers President Biden chose to release into our homeland. Yall, as a mom, i cant quit thinking about this. I mean, this could have been my daughter. This could have been yours. And tonight President Biden finally said her name but he refused to take responsibility for his own actions. Mr. President , enough is enough. Innocent americans are dying and you only have yourself to blame. To fill your oath of office. Reverse your policies, end