As Americans First. Bound by a common creed. Voices dr. King believed have the final word. Voices of unarmed truth and unconditional love. They dont get a lot of attention. They dont seek a lot of fanfare. I see them everywhere i travel in this incredible country of ours. I see you the American People. In your daily acts of citizenship i see our future unfolding. I see it in the worker on the assembly line. The boss who pays and higher wages instead of laying him off. I see it in the dreamer who stays up late at night to finish her science project. And the teacher who comes in early. Maybe with some extra supplies that she bought. She knows that that young girl might someday cure a disease. The american who served his time made that mistakes as a child but now is dreaming of starting over. I see it in the Business Owner who gives them that second chance. The protester determined to show the justice matters. The young cop walking the beat. Treating everybody with respect. During the brave quiet work at keeping us safe. The soldier who gives almost everything to save his brothers. The nurse who tends to him so he can run a marathon. The son who finds the courage to come out as who he is. And the father whose love for that son overrides everything. The elderly woman who wait in line to cast your vote is how she has to and the citizen who casts his vote for the first time. Volunteers at the polls who believe that each vote should count. How much that precious right is worth. Thats the america i know. That is the country we love. Clear eyed undaunted by challenge. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. That is what makes me so hopeful about our future. I believe in change because i believe in you. The American People. That is why i stand here as confident as i have ever been that the state of our union is strong. Thank you. God bless you. God bless the United States of america. [applause] [applause] [applause] i move that the house is adjourned. Paul ryan the ayes have it. The motion is agreed to. The house stands adjourned until 9 00 tomorrow morning. Nikki haley i am the governor of the great state of South Carolina. Much like america as a whole our state has a rich and complicated history. One that proves the idea that each day can be better than last. In just a minute i will talk about the vision of a brighter american future. I want to say a few words about president obama who just gave his final state of the Union Address. Barack obamas election broke historic barriers and inspired millions of americans. As when he first ran for Office President obama spoke eloquently about grand things. He is at his best when he does this. Unfortunately the president s record has often fallen short of his words. As he enters his final year in office, any americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels. We have a crushing national debt. A Health Care Plan that has made insurance less affordable and doctors less available. Terrorist threat our country has seen since september 11. This president appears unwilling or unable to deal with it. Soon the Obama Presidency will end. America will have it chance to turn in a new direction. That direction is what i want to talk about tonight. At the outset i will say this. You have paid attention to what is been happening in washington and you are not naive, neither by. I see what you see. Many of your frustrations are mine as well. A government that has grown day after day year after year yet doesnt serve us any better. The same endless conversations we hear over and over again. Promises made and never cap. We need to be honest with each other. While democrats in washington bear much responsibility for the problems, they do not bear all of it. There more than enough blame to go around. We as republicans need to own that truth. We need to recognize our contributions to the erosion of the public trust in americas leadership. We need to accept we have played a role in how and why our government has broken. Then we need to fix it. The foundation that has made america the last best hope of earth hasnt gone anywhere. It still exists. It is up to us to return to it. For me, that starts right where it always has. Im a proud daughter of indian immigrants. They reminded us every day how blessed we were to live in this country. My family didnt look like our neighbors and we didnt have much. There were times that were tough. But we had each other. We had the opportunity to do anything, the anything, as long as we were willing to work for it. My story is not that different from millions of other americans. Immigrants have been coming to our shores for millions they wanted better for their children than what they had for themselves. That remains the dream of all of us. In this country we have seen time and again that that dream is achievable. Today we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory. During anxious times it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation. No one was willing to work hard abide by our laws and abide by our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country. At the same time. That does not mean we just flat out open our borders. We cant do that. We cannot permit immigrants to come here illegally. We must not let in refugees whose intentions cannot be determined. We must fix our broken immigration system. It means welcoming properly vetted immigrants regardless of their race or religion. I have no doubt that if we act with the proper focus. To protect our borders our sovereignty and our citizens. While remaining true to americas noblest legacies. This past summer South Carolina was dealt a tragic blow. On otherwise ordinary wednesday evening at the historic Mother Emanuel Church insurance charleston 12 faithful men and women went to bible study. That night someone new joined them. They didnt throw him out. They didnt call the police. They pull up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. We lost nine incredible souls that night. What happened after the tragedy is worth pausing to think about. Our state was struck with shock and pain and fear. But our people would not allow hate to win. We didnt have violence. We didnt have riots. We had hugs. We turned toward god. And to the values that have long made our country the freest and greatest in the world. We removed a symbol that was being used to divide us. We found a strength to stop a domestic terrorist. And the hate that killed in. There is a lesson in this. In many parts of society today. There is a tendency to falsely equate noise with results. Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. That is just not true. Often the best thing we can do is turn down the volume. When the sound is quieter we can hear what some of the else is saying. That can make a world of difference. That doesnt mean we wont have strong disagreements. As we usher in this new era. Republicans will stand up for our beliefs. If we held the white house, taxes would be lower. And we would put the brakes on runaway spending and debt. We would encourage American Innovation and success. Good jobs would be available across our country. We would reform education so it works best not for washington bureaucrats and union bosses. We would end a disastrous Health Care Program and actually let you keep your doctor. We respect differences in modern families. We would insist on respect. We would recognize the importance of the separation of powers and honor the constitution in its entirety. That includes the second and 10th amendments. We would make International Agreements that are celebrated in israel and protested in iran not the other way around. We would actually strengthen our military. So both our friends and our enemies would know that america seeks peace. We have been tested in the past weve always risen to the challenge. Our forefathers pave the way for this. Lets take our values and our strengths our forefathers lived the way. Let us take their values and strengths and dedicate ourselves to doing whatever it takes. Thank you, night, god bless. South carolina governor and we want your views on what president obama and Governor Haley said tonight. Use the sl to you for state of the union. News analysis from peter baker of the new york times. A nations political split screen. Two starkly disparate views of Barack Obamas america. Debate overe the the future of the country in this election year. A global power on the rise again. Ith more jobs and health care a once greatlace power that has lost ground in a dangerous world surrendered its authority and leadership and diminished freedom and opportunity at home. Peter baker writing in the new york times. Your reaction to the speech. I am legally blind. He never mentioned anything about people who have disabilities. What is he going to do for people like me . That is my comment. We feel that republicans dont want to say that the United States is in a dark place. But we have seen failed policies from this president for enough time. One of those changes that he has is also the about issue of colonial rule in puerto rico. It elected to reject colonial rule and the barack obama thanistration ignored more citizens who wanted to make puerto rico estate. I support jeb bush. I want to thank mr. Obama for everything he has done. He has accomplished so things that people dont realize. I am 18 years old. He is the first president you really remember. What you studying in school . English andying spanish. I go to the university of arkansas. I listen to all the debates. Jeb bush said he was proud of his friend nikki haley for delivering a positive and upbeat response to the president. Say that theto first president i remember was president kennedy. From that point on i think weve had a lot of troubling times. Obama has forgotten that the federal Government Works for the people. We work for him. The taxation. Minimum wage. System and the education that is being cut. With after us how much money has been printed since hes been in office. Empire hasry every fallen. Donald trump said the state of the union speech was rambling and boring. New leadership is needed fast. Donald trumps tweet has been retweeted 2100 times. The top tweeted moments of the state of the union. This is according to twitter. We have to reduce the influence of money in our politics. I will keep working to shut down the prison at guantanamo. It is expensive and unnecessary. President s third most tweeted line of the evening. Thank you for taking my call. Im a registered republican this has been the best that i have heard from president obama. Since he is taking office. It was more about substance and what he saw and what he wanted from the future. The past state of the union this one i liked because it was speaking of the future. I voted for him twice. I like the fact that he has put himself in a position to help bring the American People together. You will not even support him when he is asking for help to fight terrorism. The president talked about the political rancor in america. Of the fewit was one regrets of my presidency that therencor and suspicion is no doubt a president with the gifts of lincoln or roosevelt might have that her bridge to the divine. I thought it was very eloquent. It. Ad no substance to domestic and not foreign and this is what america is all worried about. I dont see it with this leader. This is a word cloud. You can see which words the president used in his speech. We have this posted on our website. Im a High School Student in connecticut. I interned for the house democrats. I think it was really a nice way to end his term. And set goals for the next year in office. Is very special to me that i was able to watch the state of the Union Address. To begin thet way end of obamas term. Im looking at Bernie Sanders for 2016. Gives that same sense of hope that we had with obama. His stances on issues in the past have been extremely strong in a very liberal sense. It is exciting to think that we can have another person like him in the white house. It makes me a pretty strong supporter for bernie 2016. Im not old enough to vote. That is sad. Hillary clintons tweet from tonight. Seven years of progress, we need to build on it not go back. I did hear about the speech. And that we should all vote for trump. Left of center. I think you are awesome. I think cspan is awesome. I want to make a comment about nikki haley. She said all these politicians make these promises but they dont follow up on them. Ahead made these other promises just like the republicans did in the past. From nixon. To the present. George w. Bush. Thank for sharing your thoughts, glenn. Bernie sanders tweet. I thought the president s speech was really well done. Except when he stopped about the Graduation Rate in the highest ever. Though more students are graduating high school than ever they are not really college ready. Read andot ready to write at the college level. I am in college currently. People from all of the country in different schools and districts. They arethem say encountering people who are just not ready for college. I grew up in a very good school district. So i havent encountered these problems personally. I am on breaks im not at school. He based his speech on four main points. I thought it was pretty good. I am a republican. Just recently i decided to go democrat. It makes you think we are the right way. All the racism going on. At this time with the new candidates that are out there like donald trump. Just too much racism going on. We should try to head a different way from now on. Thanks for taking my call. I was inspired by the speech. Affordable and also honoring teachers. Yearch one quarter of the as an adjunct. It is very rewarding and inspiring. Something the coach scolds me about. To be a teacher where is actually affordable. That is the comment i would make. I was very excited to hear the strong stance on unemployment. The idea of a livable future not just for ourselves but also for our kids. We needed to hear that kind of rhetoric. To hear the president quoting the pope was inspiring. A great speech overall. Even a little bit of the recognition. He has showed regret for some of the things he is not been effective on. The entrenchment of the divide between republicans and democrats getting worse on his watch. Tour i was inor a a room alone. I was following twitter and a couple of different columns in tweetdeck which is moving very very fast. You feel like you are with other people. I work with International Human rights and environmental groups. I dont rely on the local economy. The president s speech tonight for allverage length eight addresses he has given to congress. Basically an was economic address. It was not considered to be a state of the union. That happened in 2009. You can see the length of that was the shortest. Year two was the longest. He has been pretty steady over the years. Look at final states of the Union President s have given we will begin with president carter. It was 31 minutes in length. Reagan 42 minutes. Minutes bill1 clinton 79 minutes. Andge w. Bush 52 minutes now president obama his final state of the union clocked in at 58 minutes. Thank you so much for taking my call. I would like to thank cspan for i was raised as a democrat. Support president obama. I didnt always agree with all his policies. Him for want to thank many of the things that he said tonight. The comments he made about homophobia. I want to thank him for the changes he has made in our economy. I have several members of my family who graduated college into one of the worst economies that the country is ever had. I am graduating into an economy where my chances of getting a job are much greater. I want to thank obama for that. That healso like to add is the first president i voted for. It was a very emotional moment to see him give that state of the union. Im a writer. To get a job in an agency. I have not found a fulltime job yet. But i think obamas sense of hope is infectious so i have a good sense that i will get a good job. A talent agency. In which they do book signings for authors. Things like that i majored in english and creative writing in college. Is somethingng that is very important to me. I think that is something that is very emblematic of president obama. Because he has been instrumental in changing the stories that need to be heard. Obamas state of the union speech was pretty much just a campaign for all the things he failed to do in the last eight years. Margaret i was rather impressed by it. About Governor Haleys response. Reflected thet concern of many republicans that the base that seems to be bubbling up in something for people such as ted cruz and mr. Trump who were digging down interfere. Looking up a racist and very responses toional some of my fellow republicans. So i am concerned about that. I am impressed by the graciousness of the president. I think he is totally right about the state of our nation. The belief that we must have in our nation. Im a 54yearold professional. Very difficulta financial situation and 2008. And have pulled myself up. I dont feel negative. I feel positive about the economy. From the president s speech. Isil focus on destroying overthetop claims that this is world war iii just play into their hands. They do not threaten our national existence. Eddie i would like to thank cspan for its excellent coverage. It was really dynamic to me. To see some of the things that he had. Im an africanamerican who grew up in the city of chicago. My home that i grew up in was democratic. But to get away from all the labels. If anything i consider myself an independent. Im very reassured from what the president presented. What he has reiterated in his first election. I never thought in my lifetime i would see an africanamerican become president. I have seen these changes. I really thank him for the hope that he has continually to us as and shown americans. I take my hat off to him. What we are as a people have encountered and brought about. It was a refreshing thing to sit down and hear the state of the union and all the comments. Hopefully your colleagues who democraticand the areas will work for the goals that were articulated. Through 455 or so seats in the house chamber. A hundred and 60 seats were added so that the Supreme Court and the senate also down as well. Over 500 seats up the galleries. In the upstairs area. Patricia i want to thank president obama for an excellent state of the Union Address tonight. I was concerned about was he didnt mention about the disabled americans. Recently my electricity got shut now isberryville right getting his low as 20 degrees tonight. I live by myself of course. I would like to know what he is going to do about these electric companies and what he will do to help the disabled. The elderly such as myself. Tomorrow morning on our discussionjournal, about the state of the union will continue. 7 00 in the morning every day. President obama is going to omaha nebraska. Then he goes to the university of nebraska at omaha. Rouge louisiana. If you are continue this conversation you can do it on our facebook page. You will see the president up there in the video. Or you can watch the retear of the state of the union that we will show you tonight. Mr. Speaker. The president of the United States. [applause] [applause] happy new year. Good to see you. [applause] [indiscernible conversation] [applause] happy new year. Happy new year [applause] pres. Obama thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. I believe these are for you. Pres. Obama all right. Lets bring this to order here. Members of congress, i have a high privilege and send honor of presenting to you the president of the United States. [applause] pres. Obama thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, mr. Vice president , members of congress, my fellow americans tonight marks the eighth year ive come here to report on the state of the union. And for this final one, im going to try to make it a little shorter. [applause] pres. Obama i know some of you are antsy to get back to iowa. [laughter] [applause] pres. Obama i have been there. I will be shaking hands after if you want some tips. I understand that because its an election season, expectations for what well achieve this year are low. But, mr. Speaker, i appreciate the constructive approach you and the other leaders took at the end of last year to pass a budget and make tax cuts permanent for working families. So i hope we can Work Together this year on bipartisan priorities like criminal justice reform, and helping people who are battling Prescription Drug abuse and heroin abuse. [applause] who knows . We just might surprise the cynics again. But tonight, i want to go easy on the traditional list of proposals for the year ahead. Dont worry, ive got plenty, from helping students learn to write computer code to personalizing medical treatments for patients. And ill keep pushing for progress on the work that still needs to be done. Fixing a broken immigration system. [applause] pres. Obama protecting our kids from gun violence. Equal pay for equal work, paid leave, raising the minimum wage. All these things still matter to hardworking families; they are still the right thing to do; and i wont let up until they get done. But for my final address to this chamber, i dont want to talk just about the next year. I want to focus on the next five years, ten years, and beyond. I want to focus on our future. We live in a time of extraordinary change, change thats reshaping the way we live, the way we work, our planet, and our place in the world. Its change that promises amazing medical breakthroughs, but also economic disruptions that strain working families. It promises education for girls in the most remote villages, but also connects terrorists plotting an ocean away. Its change that can broaden opportunity, or widen inequality. And whether we like it or not, the pace of this change will only accelerate. America has been through big changes before. Wars and depression, the influx of new immigrants, workers fighting for a fair deal, and movements to expand civil rights. Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future, who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, promising to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening america under control. And each time, we overcame those fears. We did not, in the words of lincoln, adhere to the dogmas of the quiet past. Instead, we thought anew, and acted anew. We made change work for us, always extending americas promise outward, to the next frontier, to more and more people. And because we did, because we saw opportunity where others saw peril, we emerged stronger and better than before. What was true then can be true now. Our unique strengths as a nation our optimism and work ethic, our spirit of discovery, our diversity, our commitment to the rule of law, these things give us everything we need to ensure prosperity and security for generations to come. In fact, its that spirit that these paste progress seven years. That is how we recovered from the worst economic crisis in generations. [applause] that is how we reformed our health care system, and reinvented our energy sector. [applause] that is how we delivered more care and benefits to our troops coming home at our veterans. Home and our veterans. [applause] that is how we secured the freedom in every state to marry the person we love. [applause] but such progress is not inevitable. It is the result of choices we make, together. And we face such choices right now. Will we respond to the changes of our time with fear, turning inward as a nation, and turning against each other as a people . Or will we face the future with confidence in who we are, what we stand for, and the incredible things we can do together . So lets talk about the future, and four Big Questions that we as a country have to answer, regardless of who the next president is, or who controls the next congress. First, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in this new economy . [applause] second, how do we make Technology Work for us, and not against us, especially when it comes to solving urgent challenges like Climate Change . [applause] third, how do we keep america safe and lead the World Without becoming its policeman . [applause] finally, how can we make our politics reflect whats best in us, and not whats worst . [applause] let me start with the economy and a basic fact. The United States of america, right now, has the strongest, most durable economy in the world. Were in the middle of the longest streak of privatesector job creation in history. More than 14 million new jobs, the strongest two years of job growth since the 1990s, an Unemployment Rate cut in half. Our Auto Industry just had its best year ever. [applause] that is just part of a manufacturing surge which has created nearly 900,000 new jobs in the past six years. And weve done all this while cutting our deficits by almost threequarters. [applause] anyone claiming that americas economy is in decline is peddling fiction. [applause] the reasone, and that a lot of americans feel anxious, is that the economy has been changing in profound ways, changes that started long before the Great Recession hit and changes that happened changes that havent let up. Today, technology doesnt just replace jobs on the assembly line, but any job where work can be automated. Companies in a Global Economy can locate anywhere, and face tougher competition. As a result, workers have less leverage for a raise. Companies have less loyalty to their communities. And more and more wealth and income is concentrated at the very top. All these trends have squeezed workers, even when they have jobs, even when the economy is growing. Its made it harder for a hardworking family to pull itself out of poverty, harder for young people to start on their careers, and tougher for workers to retire when they want to. And although none of these trends are unique to america, they do offend our uniquely american belief that everybody who works hard should get a fair shot. For the past seven years, our goal has been a growing economy that works better for everybody. Weve made progress. But we need to make more. And despite all the political arguments weve had these past few years, there are some areas where americans broadly agree. We agree that real opportunity requires every american to get the education and training they need to land a goodpaying job. The bipartisan reform of no child left behind was an important start, and together, weve increased Early Childhood education, lifted high school Graduation Rates to new highs, and boosted graduates in fields like engineering. In the coming years, we should build on that progress, by providing prek for all, and offering every student [laughter] [applause] pres. Obama offering every student the handson Computer Science and math classes that make them jobready on day one, and we should recruit and support more Great Teachers for our kids. [applause] and we have to make College Affordable for every american. [applause] no hardworking student should be stuck in the red. Weve already reduced student loan payments to 10 of a borrowers income. Now, weve actually got to cut the cost of college. [applause] providing two years of Community College at no cost for every responsible student is one of the best ways to do that, and im going to keep fighting to get that started this year. It is the right thing to do. But, a great education isnt all we need in this new economy. We also need benefits and protections that provide a basic measure of security. It is not too much of a stretch to say that some of the only people in america who are going to work the same job, in the same place, with a health and retirement package, for 30 years, are sitting in this chamber. [laughter and murmuring] pres. Obama for everyone else, especially folks in their forties and fifties, saving for retirement or bouncing back from job loss has gotten a lot tougher. Americans understand that at some point in their careers, in this new economy they may , have to retool and retrain. But they shouldnt lose what theyve already worked so hard to build in the process. Thats why Social Security and medicare are more important than ever. We shouldnt weaken them, we should strengthen them. [applause] and for americans short of retirement, basic benefits should be just as mobile as Everything Else is today. That, by the way, is what the Affordable Care act is all about. Its about filling the gaps in employerbased care so that when we lose a job, or go back to school, or you launch that new business, you will still have coverage. Nearly eighteen million have gained coverage so far. [applause] Health Care Inflation has slowed. And our businesses have created jobs every single month since it became law. Now, im guessing we wont agree on health care anytime soon. [applause] [laughter] pres. Obama a little applause right there. But there should be other ways both parties can improve economic security. Say a hardworking american loses his job we shouldnt just make sure he can get unemployment insurance, we should make sure that Program Encourages him to retrain for a business thats ready to hire him. If that new job doesnt pay as much, there should be a system of wage insurance in place so that he can still pay his bills. And even if hes going from job to job, he should still be able to save for retirement and take his savings with him. Thats the way we make the new economy work better for everybody. I also know speaker ryan has talked about his interest in tackling poverty. America is about giving everybody willing to work a chance, hand up, and id welcome a serious discussion about strategies we can all support, like expanding tax cuts for lowincome workers who do not have children. [applause] but there are some areas where we just have to be honest its , been more difficult to find agreement over the last seven years. A lot of them fall under the category of what role the government should play in making sure the systems not rigged in favor of the wealthiest and biggest corporations. [applause] and it is an honest disagreement. The American People have a choice to make. I believe a thriving private sector is the lifeblood of our economy. I think there are outdated regulations that need to be changed, and theres red tape that needs to be cut. [applause] there you go. Yeah. But, after years of record corporate profits, working families wont get more opportunity or bigger paychecks just by letting big banks or big oil or hedge funds make their own rules at everybody elses expense. [applause] middleclass families are not going to feel more secure because we allowed a tax on collective bargaining to go unanswered. Food stamp recipients didnt cause the financial crisis, recklessness on wall street did. [applause] immigrants arent the reason wages havent gone up. Those decisions are made in the boardrooms that too often put Quarterly Earnings over longterm returns. Its sure not the average family watching tonight that avoids paying taxes through offshore accounts. The point is, i believe that in this new economy, workers and startups and Small Businesses need more of a voice, not less. The rules should work for them. I am not alone in this. This year, i plan to lift up the many businesses whove figured out that doing right by their workers or their customers or their communities ends up being good for their shareholders. And i want to spread those practices across america. That is part of a brighter future. [applause] in fact, it turns out, many of our best corporate citizens are also our most creative. This brings me to the second big question we as a country have to answer how do we reignite that spirit of innovation to meet our Biggest Challenges . Sixty years ago, when the russians beat us into space, we didnt deny sputnik was up there. We didnt argue about the science, or shrink our research and development budget. We built a Space Program almost overnight, and twelve years later, we were walking on the moon. [applause] that spirit of discovery is in our dna. America is Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers and George Washington carver. America is grace hopper and Katherine Johnson and sally ride. America is every immigrant and entrepreneur from boston to austin to Silicon Valley racing to shape a better future. That is who we are. And, over the past seven years, weve nurtured that spirit. We have protected an open internet, and taken bold new steps to get more students and lowincome americans online. Weve launched nextgeneration manufacturing hubs, and online tools that give an entrepreneur everything he or she needs to start a business in a single day. But we can do so much more. Last year, Vice President biden said that with a new moonshot, america can cure cancer. Last month, he worked with this congress to give scientists at the National Institutes of health the strongest resources that they have had in over a decade. [applause] well [applause] pres. Obama so tonight, im announcing a new National Effort to get it done. And because hes gone to the mat for all of us, on so many issues over the past forty years, im putting joe in charge of mission control. [applause] for the loved ones weve all lost, for the family we can still save, lets make america the country that cures cancer once and for all. What do you say . [applause] medical research is critical. We need the same level of commitment when it comes to developing clean energy sources. [applause] look, if anybody still wants to dispute the science around Climate Change, have at it. You will be pretty lonely because youll be debating our military, most of americas business leaders, and the majority of the American People, almost the entire scientific community, and 200 nations around the world who agree its a problem and intend to solve it. [applause] but even if, even if the planet wasnt even if 2014 wasnt the warmest year on record, until 2015 turned out to be even hotter, why would we want to pass up the chance for american businesses to produce and sell the energy of the future . [applause] listen, seven years ago we made the single biggest investment in clean energy in our history. Here are the results. In fields from iowa to texas, wind power is now cheaper than dirtier, conventional power. On roof tops, from arizona to new york, solar is saving americans tens of millions of dollars a year on their energy bills and employs more americans than coal in jobs that pay better than average. Were taking steps to give homeowners the freedom to generate and store their own energy. Something, by the way, that environmentalists and tea partyers have teamed up to support. Meanwhile, weve cut our imports of foreign oil by nearly 60 and cut Carbon Pollution more than any other country on earth. [applause] gas under two bucks a gallon aint bad either. Now weve got to accelerate the transition away from old, dirtier energy sources. Rather than subsidize the past we should invest in the future. , especially in communities that rely on fossil fuels, we do them no favor when we dont show them where the trends are going. Thats why im going to push to change the way we manage our oil and Coal Resources so that they better reflect the cost they impose on taxpayers and our planet and that way we put money back into those communities and put tens of thousands of americans to work building a 21st century transportation system. [applause] now, none of this is going to happen overnight. And, yes, there are plenty of entrenched interests who want to protect the status quo. But the jobs will create, the money well save, the planet well preserve, that is the kind of future our kids and grandkids deserve. And its within our grasp. Climate change is just one of many issues where our security is linked with the rest of the world. Thats why the third big question that we have to answer together is how to keep america safe and strong without either isolating ourselves or trying to nationbuild everywhere theres a problem. I told you earlier, all the talk of americas economic decline is political hot air. Well, so is all the rhetoric you hear about our enemies getting stronger and america getting weaker. Let me tell you something. The United States of america is the most powerful nation on earth. Period. [applause] period. Its not even close. Its not even close. Its not even close. We spend more on our military than the next eight nations combined. Our troops are the finest fighting force in the history of the world. No nation attacks us directly or our allies because they know thats the path to ruin. Surveys show our standing around the world is higher than when i was elected to this office and when it comes to every Important International issue. People of the world do not look to beijing or moscow to lead. They call us. [applause] when we dont, we dont make good decisions. Now, as someone who begins every day with an intelligence briefing, i know this is a dangerous time. But thats not primarily because of some looming super power out there and it is certainly not because of diminished american strength. In todays world, were threatened less by evil empires and more by failing states. The middle east is going through a transformation that will play out for a generation. Rooted in conflicts that date back millennia. Economic headwinds are blowing in from a chinese economy that is in significant transition. Even as their economy severely contracts, russia is pouring resources into prop up ukraine and syria, client states they saw slipping away from their orbit. And the International System we built after world war ii is now struggling to keep pace with this new reality. Its up to us, the United States of america, to help remake that system. And to do that well, it means weve got to set priorities. Priority number one is protecting the American People and going after terrorist networks. [applause] both al qaeda, and now isil, pose a direct threat to our people because in todays world even a handful of terrorists who place no value on human life including their own, can do a , lot of damage. They use the internet to poison the minds of individuals inside our country. Their actions undermine and destablize our allies. We have to take them out. But as we focus on destroying isil, over the top claims that this is world war 3 just play into their hands. Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks, twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages, they pose an enormous danger to civilians. They have to be stopped. But they do not threaten our national existence. That is the story isil wants to tell. Thats the kind of propaganda they use to recruit. We dont need to build them up to show that were serious. And we sure dont need to push away vital allies in this fight by echoing the lie that isil is somehow representative of one of the Worlds Largest religions. [applause] we just need to call them what they are. Killers and fanatics. Who have to be rooted out, hunted down, and destroyed. [applause] and thats exactly what were doing. For more than a year, america has led a coalition of more than 60 countries to cut off isils finances, disrupt their plots, stop the flow of terrorist fighters, and stamp out their vicious ideology. With nearly 10,000 air strikes were taking out their leadership, their oil, their training camps, their weapons. Were training, arming, and supporting forces who are steadily reclaiming territory in iraq and syria. If this congress is serious about winning this war and wants to send a message to our troops and the world, authorize the use of military force against isil. Take a vote. [applause] take a vote. But the American People should know that with or without congressional action, isil will learn the same lessons that terrorists before them. If you doubt americas commitment or mind to see that justice is done, just ask osama bin laden. [applause] ask the leader of al qaeda in yemen who was taken out last year. Or the perpetrator of the benghazi attacks, who sits in a prison cell. When you come after americans, we go after you. And it may take time, but we have long memories, and our reach has no limits. [applause] our Foreign Policy has to be focused on the threat from isis and al qaeda. But it cant stop there. For even without isil, even without al qaeda, instability will continue for decades in many parts of the world. In the middle east, in afghanistan, parts of pakistan, and parts of Central America and africa and asia. Some of these places may become safe havens for new terrorist networks. Others will just fall victim to ethnic conflict or famine. Feeding the next wave of refugees. The world will look to us to help solve these problems. And our answer needs to be more talk or calls to more than tough talk or calls to carpet bomb civilians. That may work as a tv sound bite but it doesnt pass muster on the world stage. We also cant try to take over and rebuild every country that falls into crisis. Even if its done with the best of intentions. Thats not leadership. Thats a recipe for quagmire. Spilling american blood and treasure that ultimately will weaken us. Its the lesson of vietnam. Its the lesson of iraq. We should have learned it by now. [applause] fortunately, there is a smarter approach. A patient and disciplined strategy that uses every element of our national power. Its that america will always act, alone if necessary, to protect our people and our allies. But on issues of global concern, we will mobilize the world to work with us and make sure other countries pull their own weight. Thats our approach to conflicts like syria where were partnering with local forces and leading interNational Efforts to help that broken society pursue a lasting peace. Thats why we built a Global Coalition with sanctions and principled diplomacy to prevent a nucleararmed iran, and as we speak iran has rolled back its nuclear program, shipped out its uraniuim stockpile, and the world has avoided another war. [applause] thats how we stopped the spread of ebola in west africa. [applause] our military, our doctors, our development workers, they were heroic. They set up the platform that then allowed other countries to join in behind us and stamp out that epidemic. Hundreds of thousands, maybe a couple million lives were saved. Thats how we forged a Transpacific Partnership to open markets and protect workers and the environment and advance American Leadership in asia. It cuts 18,000 taxes on products made in america, which will then support more good jobs here in america. China does not set the rules in that region. We do. You want to show our strength in the new century . Approve this agreement. Give us the tools to enforce it. Its the right thing to do. [applause] let me give you another example. 50 years of isolating cuba, that failed to promote democracy. It set us back in latin america. Thats why weve restored diplomatic relations, opened the door to travel and commerce, positioned ourselves to improve the lives with human people. Lives of the cuban people. So if you want to consolidate our leadership and credibility in the hemisphere, recognize that the cold war is over. Lift the embargo. [applause] the point is, American Leadership in the 21st century is not a choice between ignoring the rest of the world, except when we kill terrorists, or occupying and rebuilding whatever society is unraveling. Leadership means a wise application of military power. And rallying the world behind causes that are right. It means seeing our foreign assistance as part of our national security, not something separate, not charity. When we lead nearly 200 nations to the most ambitious agreement in history to fight Climate Change, yes that helps Vulnerable Countries but it also protects our kids. When we help ukraine defend its democracy or colombia resolve a decades long war, that on. A decades long war, that strengthens the International Order we depend on. When we help african countries feed their people and care for the sick its the right thing to , do. And it prevents the next pandemic from reaching our shores. Right now were on track to end the scourge of hiv aids. Thats within our grasp. And we had the chance to accomplish the same thing with malaria. Something ill be pushing this congress to fund this year. [applause] thats american strength. Thats American Leadership. And that kind of leadership depends on the power of our example. Thats why i will keep working to shut down the prison at guantanamo. It is expensive, it is unnecessary, and it only serves as a recruitment brochure for our enemies. Theres a better way. And thats why we need to reject any politics, any politics that target people because of race or religion. [applause] let me just say this. [applause] this is not a matter of political correctness. This is a matter of understanding just what it is that makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal. It respects us for our diversity and our openness, and the way we respect every faith. His holiness pope francis told this body from the very spot im standing on tonight that to imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. When politicians insult muslims, whether abroad or our fellow citizens, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid is called names, that doesnt make us safer. Thats not telling it like it is. Its just wrong. It diminishes us in the eyes of the world. [applause] it makes it harder for us to achieve our goals. It betrays who we are as a country. [applause] we the people. Our constitution begins with those three simple words. Words weve come to recognize mean all the people, not just some. Words that insist we rise and fall together. That is bringing me to the fourth and maybe most important thing i want to say tonight. The future we want, all of us want, opportunity and security for our families, a rising standard of living, a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids, all of that is within our reach. But it will only happen if we Work Together. It will only happen if we can have rational, constructive debates. It will only happen if we fix our politics. A better politics doesnt mean we have to agree on everything. This is a big country. Different regions. Different attitudes. Different interests. Thats one of our strengths, too. Our founders distribute power between states and branches of government and expected us to argue. Just as they did. Fiercely. Over the size and shape of government. Over commerce and foreign relations. Over the meaning of liberty and security. But democracy does require basic bonds of trust between its citizens. It doesnt work if we think the people who disagree with us are all motivated by malice. It doesnt work if we think that our political opponents are unpatriotic. Or trying to weaken america. Democracy grinds to a halt without a willingness to compromise. Or when even basic facts are contested or when we listen only to those who agree with us. Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get all the attention. And most of all, democracy breaks down when the average person feels their voice doesnt matter. Rigged insystem is favor of the rich or the powerful or some special interest. Too Many Americans feel that way right now. It is one of the few regrets of my presidency that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better. I have no doubt a president with the gifts of lincoln or roosevelt might have better bridged the divide. And i guarantee ill keep trying to be better so long as i hold this office. But my fellow americans, this cannot be my task or any president s alone. There are a whole lot of folks in this chamber, good people who would like to see more cooperation who would like to , see a more elevated debate in washington. But feel trapped by the imperatives of getting elected. By the noise coming out of your base. I know. Youve told me. The worst kept secret in washington. And a lot of you arent enjoying being trapped in that kind of rancor. But that means if we want a better politics, and im addressing the American People now, if we want a better politics, its not enough just to change the congressman or change a senator. Or even change a president. We have to change the system to reflect our better selves. I think weve got to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so politicians can pick their voters and not the other way around. [applause] let a Bipartisan Group do it. I believe weve got to reduce the influence of money in our politics so that a handful of families or special interests cant bankroll our elections. And if our existing approach to Campaign Finance reform cant pass muster in the courts, we need to Work Together to find a real solution. Because its a problem. And most of you dont like raising money. I know. Ive done it. Weve got to make it easier to vote, not harder. We need to modernize it. [applause] this is america. We want to make it easier for people to participate. And over the course of this year, i intend to travel the country to push for reforms that do just that. But i cant do these things on my own. Changes in our political process, in not just who gets elected but how they get elected, that will only happen when the American People demand it. It depends on you. Thats whats meant by a government of, by, and for the people. What im suggesting is hard. Its a lot easier to be cynical. To accept that change is not possible. And politics is hopeless. And the problem is, all of the folks who are elected dont care. And to believe that our voices and our actions dont matter. But if we give up now, then we forsake a better future. Those with money and power will gain greater control over the decisions that could send a young soldier to war or allow another Economic Disaster or roll back the equal rights and Voting Rights that generations of americans have fought, even died to secure. And then, as frustration grows, there will be voices urging us to fall back into our respective tribes, to scapegoat fellow citizens who dont look like us or pray like us or vote like we do or share the same background. We cant afford to go down that path. It wont deliver the economy we want. It will not produce the security we want. But most of all, it contradicts everything that makes us the envy of the world. So, my fellow americans, whatever you may believe, whether you prefer one party or no party, whether you supported my agenda or fought as hard as you could against it, our collective futures depend on your willingness to uphold your duties as a citizen. To vote, to speak out, to stand up for others, especially the weak. Especially the vulnerable. Knowing that each of us is only here because somebody somewhere stood up for us. [applause] we need every american to stay active in our public life and not just during election time. So that our public life reflects the goodness and the decency that i see in the American People every single day. It is not easy. Our brand of democracy is hard. But i can promise, in a little over a year from now, when i no longer hold this office, i will be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by those andes of fairness, of grit good humor and kindness that have helped America Travel so far. Voices that helped us not see ourselves first and foremost as black or white or latino or asian, gay or straight, immigrant war nativeborn immigrant or nativeborn, but as Americans First bound by a common dream. Voices dr. King believed would have the final word, voices of unarmed truth and unconditional love. They are out there, those voices. They dont get a lot of attention, they dont seek a a lot of fanfare, but they are busy doing the work that this country needs doing. I see them everywhere i travel in this incredible country. , see you, the American People ts ofn your daily ac citizenship, i see our future unfolding. On thet is a Worker Assembly line. The boston pays them higher wages instead of laying them off. That it in the dreamer stays up late at night to finish her science project and the teacher that comes in early. Maybe with some extra supplies she bought because she knows that young girl may someday cure a disease. I see it in the american who served his time, they bad mistakes as a child, but is now dreaming of starting over. I see it in the Business Owner who gives them that second chance. The protester determined to prove that justice matters, and the young cop walking the beat, treating everyone with respect, doing the brave, quiet work of keeping us safe. I see it in the soldier who gives almost everything to save , the nurse who tends to him until he can run a marathon. The community that lines up to cheer him on. Who finds the courage to come out for who he is in the father whose love for that son overrides everything he has been taught. I see it in the elderly woman who will wait in line to cast your vote as long as she has to, the new citizen who casts his vote for the first time, the volunteers at the polls who believe every vote should count. Each of them, in different ways, know how much that precious right is worth