Trump may call for a brand new immigration bill tonight. It could offer legal status to People Living in the United States without documents if they havent committed any serious violent crimes. So, the housekeeper, or the worker in the fields would be able to stay without fear. Thats what the president told the network news anchors today at a lunch at the white house. He also told fox news republicans have a great plan to repeal and replace Affordable Care act or obamacare. The problem is Top Republicans in the senate say thats not true. The Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell said today the plan is not ready according to the white house excerpts of the president plans to call on congress to repeal and replace obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time provide better healthcare. Democrats have already given what they were calling a prebundle to the president s speech the Opposition Party often does that they say his budget plan would take an to programs that help the middle class. Democrats will give official response tonight tonight and we will give that you live after the president. Just like the state of the union the first lady have guests with her tonight they include the father of an High School Student killed by undocumented immigrant. Democrats also invited guests including socalled dreamers. The undocumented immigrants whose parents brought them to this country as children. As it turns out, they may be about to get some very good news from President Trump this evening. Also just like at a state of the union address, there is a designated survivor, one cabinet member who stays away from the capitol tonight just in case armageddon. Tonight its the Veterans Affairs secretary david shulkin. And our rich edson is outside the east front of the capitol with a preview of what we are about to hear. Good evening, shep. This is where the president of the United States lays out his Economic Vision for the future of this country, the security vision for the future of the country. It will be in the budget statement in the next couple of months that we will get the specifics to that of what the president want to accomplish and what he wants congress to accomplish. He named a couple of big themes here the president is talking bont economic side. Tax reform is key to this. The president says when it comes to the rest of the budget pieces falling together, it has to deal with lowering tax rates, making a simpler tax plan, creating Economic Growth, boosting Economic Growth and that creates a tax rev now to let did you go and do other things. The other thing, of course, is healthcare. Thats something that republicans are vowing to repeal obamacare, the Affordable Care act, same thing, and replace it with something else. This is something that Congress Needs to do. Even though republicans control both houses, getting on the same page is incredibly difficult, especially with such two difficult pieces of legislation. Shep . Shepard rich, thanks, the sergeant at arms is about to introduce the president. Lets listen. Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States. [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] shepa familiar scene for all of you familiar with state of the Union Addresses. Its walk by the posing with the president for the cameras. I must say that these peeks normally go early and people normally go in and save them early. We usually see the same faces year in and year out. This is a bit unusual as we have the first lady looking on. A. B. Stoddard is with me here in washington. She is a associate editor at real clear politics. Com and friend of the family. New scene new folks. Normally on his left are democrats. You know there are democrats who leave themself famous staying all afternoon on the well to get the seat so they can greet the president whether it was george w. Bush or president obama, bill clinton. Those democrats said tonight they werent coming. You notice more empty seats on the right aisle as we face President Trump, even some republicans filling those seats. I notice congressman Marsha Blackburn from tennessee. Greet him on the way in enthusiastically. You see all the white dresses, the democrats are wearing their suffregate white. Some people stayed home. This is what republicans are cheering over an attempt to keep it enthusiastic. Shepard that happened under george w. Bush to some degree, didnt it . Less probably than this. They still came and even if they gave tv interviews criticizing him all day, they were still there to have a big handshake. Shepard Supreme Court justices there is Sonia Sotomayor and others. We are led to believe, a. B. , that this will be inclusive and uplifting speech, mostly sticking to script. There are going to be a couple topics of great entrance, i believe to our audience. Two of them we are going to talk about now. One is immigration and a vastly different stance taken by the president right. A big surprise came today when he said it might be time for a compromise Immigration Reform package that could even include legalization. He said both sides would have to give. So, obviously, in between there all the details are quite divisive as you know. Such a polarizing argument. But this is mostly focused, i think, on tonight if he doesnt talk about a compromise immigration bill, safety and security and it sounds more president ial than we have ever heard him from the excerpts. Shepard thats what the network news anchors were suggesting today even though he has called many of the networks in attendance today fake news and enemies of the people. They had a cordial lunch which, of course, is in congress so many things are these days. After another announcement and introduction here, i will tell you about the other big item we are expecting tonight and thats on the budget. There is great controversy there as well. Listen. There you see the ladies in white. He. Thank you very much. Members of congress, i have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States. [cheers and applause] shepard first time i have seen a thank you before that these things go directly to script not tonight. The other thing that we know is coming is the matter of budget. On the budget today the suggestion was made that to pay for these as the president puts it historic increases in defense spending he would cut, among other things the state department by 37 . A matter Joe Scarborough of msnbc, a guest apparently elijah cummings, the first daughter jared curbner there cut the state department by 37 to pay for this quote historic increase in defense spending and already dead on arrival on capitol hill according to members of his own party. Now the president. Mr. Speaker, mr. Vice president , members of congress, the first lady of the United States. [cheers and applause] and citizens of america. Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of black history month, we are reminded of our nations path towards civil rights and the work that still remains to be done. [applause] recent Threats Targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of jewish cemeteries as well as last weeks shooting in kansas city remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms. [cheers and applause] passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice. In an unbroken chain all the way down to the present. That torch is now in our hands and we will use it to light up the world. I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart. A new chapter [applause] of american greatness is now beginning. A new National Pride is sweeping across our nation. And a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp. What we are witnessing today is the renewal of the american spirit. Our allies will find that america is once again [applause] all the nations of the world, friend or foe will find that america is strong, america is proud, and america is free. In nine years the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding. 250 years since the day we declared our independence. It will be one of the great milestones in the history of the world. But what will america look likes a we reach our 250th year . What kind of country will we leave for our children . I will not allow the mistakes of recent past to define the course of our future. For too long we have watched our middle class shrink, as we have exported our jobs and wealth to foreign countries. We financed and built one Global Project after another, but ignored the fates of our children in the enter cities of chicago, baltimore, detroit, and so many other places throughout our land. We have defended the borders of other nations while leaving our own borders wide open for anyone to cross and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate. And weve spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled. Then in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. Quiet protest spoken by families of all colors and creeds. Families who just wanted a fair shot for their children and a fair hearing for their concerns. But then the quiet voices became a loud chorus as thousands of citizens now spoke out together from cities small and large all across our country. Finally, the chorus became an earthquake and the people turned out by the tens of millions and they were all united by one very simple but crucial demand, that america must put its own citizens first because only then can we truly make America Great again. [cheers and applause] dying industries will come roaring back to life, heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need. Our military will be given the resources its brave warriors so richly deserve. Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, and railways gleaming across our very, very beautiful land. Our terrible drug epidemic will slow down and ultimately stop. And our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity. Above all else, we will keep our promises to the American People. [cheers and applause] thank you. Its been a little over a month since my inauguration and i want to take this moment to update the nation on the progress i have made in keeping those promises. Since my election, ford, fiat chrysler, general motors, sprint, soft bank, lock keyed, intel, walmart and many others have announced that they will invest billions and billions of dollars in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new american jobs. [applause] the stock market has gained since the election on november 8th. A record. We have saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of fantastic and it is a fantastic new f35 jet fighter and well be saving billions more on contracts all across our government. We have placed a hiring freeze on nonmilitary and nonessential federal workers. We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5 year ban on lobbying by executive Branch Officials [applause] and lifetime ban. [cheers and applause] thank you. And a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government. We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job crushing regulations, creating a Deregulation Task force inside of every government agency. [applause] and were imposing a new rule which mandates that for every one new regulation two old regulations must be eliminated. [applause] were going to stop the regulations that threaten the future and livelihood of our great coal miners. [applause] we have cleared the way for the construction of the keystone and Dakota Access pipelines. [cheers and applause] thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs and i have issued a new directive that new american pipelines be made with american steel. [applause] we have withdrawn the United States from the jobkilling transpacific partnership. [appla and with the help of Prime Minister justin trudeau, we have formed a council with our neighbors in canada to help ensure that Women Entrepreneurs have access to the networks, markets, and capital they need to start a business and live out their financial dreams. [applause] to protect our citizens, i have directed the department of justice to form a task force on reducing violent crime. I have further ordered the departments of Homeland Security and justice, along with the department of state and the director of National Intelligence to dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread all across our nation. [applause] we will stop the drugs from pouring in to our country and poisoning our youth and we will expand treatment for those who have become so badly addicted. [applause] at the same time, my administration has answered the pleas of the American People for Immigration Enforcement and Border Security. [applause] by finally enforcing our immigration laws we will raise wages, help the unemployed and save billions and billions of dollars and make our communities safer for every. Everyone. [applause] we want all americans to succeed but that cant happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law at our borders. [applause] for that reason, we will soon begin of a great, great wall along our southern border. [cheers and applause] as we speak tonight, we are removing gang members, drug dealers, and criminals that threaten our communities and pray on our very innocent citizens. Bad ones are going out as i speak and as i promised throughout the campaign. To any in congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws i would ask you this one question. What would you say to the American Family that loses their jobs, their income, or their loved one because america refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders . [applause] our obligation is to serve, protect, and defend the citizens of the United States. We are also taking strong measures to protect our nation from radical islamic terrorism. [applause] according to data provided by the department of justice, the vast majority of individuals convicted of terrorism and terrorismrelated offenses since 9 11 came here from outside of our country. We have seen the attacks at home from boston to intern san bernardino, the pentagon and, yes, even the world trade center. We have seen the attacks in germany and all over the world. It is not compassion but reckless to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. [applause] those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values. We cannot allow a beach head of terrorists to form inside america. We cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists. [applause] that is why my administration has been working on improved shortly take new steps to keep our nation safe and to keep those out who will do us harm. [applause] as promised, i directed the department of defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy isis, a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered muslims and christians and men and women and children of all faiths and all beliefs. We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the muslim world to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet. [applause] i have also imposed new sa individuals who support irans Ballistic Missile program and reaffirmed our Unbreakable Alliance with the state of israel. [cheers and applause] finally, i have kept my promise to appoint a justice to the united state Supreme Court from my list of 20 judges who will defend our constitution. [cheers and applause] i am greatly honored to have Maureen Scalia with us in [applause] thank you, maureen. Her late great husband Antonin Scalia will be a great symbol of american justice. To fill his seat we have chosen judge kneel gorsuch a man of incredible skill and deep devotion to the law. He was confirmed unanimously by the court of appeals and i am asking the senate to swiftly approve his nomination. [cheers and applause] tonight, as i outline the next steps we must take as a country, we must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited. 94 million americans are out of the labor force. Over 43 Million People are now living in poverty. And over 43 million americans are on food stamps. More than one in five people in their prime working years are not working. We have the worst Financial Recovery in 65 years. In the last eight years the past administration has put on more new debt than nearly all of the other president s combined. We have lost more than 1 4th of our manufacturing jobs since nafta was approved and we have lost 60,000 factories since china joins the World Trade Organization in 2001. Our trade def with the world last year was nearly 800 billion and overseas we have inherited a series of tragic Foreign Policy disasters. Solving these and so many other pressing problems will require us to work past the differences of party. It will require us to tap into the american spirit that has overcome every challengely to the our long and storied history. To accomplish our golfs at home and abroad, we must restart the engine of the american economy, making it easier for companies to do business in the United States and much, much harder for companies to leave our country. [applause] right now American Companies are taxed at one of the highest rates throughout the world. My team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so that they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. [applause] it will be a big, big cut. At the same time we will provide tax relief for the middle class. We must create level Playing Field for our companies and our workers. [applause] currently when we ship products out of america many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes. But when Foreign Companies shift their products into nothing or almost nothing. I just met with officials and workers from a Great American company harleydavidson. In fact, they proudly displayed five of their magnificent motorcycles made in the u. S. A. On the front lawn of the white house. [laughter] [applause] and they wanted me to ride one and i said no thank you. [laughter] at our meeting, i asked them how are you doing . How is business . They said that its good. I asked them further how are you doing with other countries . Mainly International Sales . They told me without even complaining because they have been so mistreated for so long that they have become used to it. That its very hard to do business with other countries because they tax our goods at such a high rate. They said of another country, they tax their motorcycles at 100 percent. They werent even asking for a change, but i am. [applause] i believe [applause] i believe strongly in free trade, but it also has to be fair trade. Its been a long time since we had fair trade. The first republican president , abraham lincoln, warned that the abandonment of the protective policy by the American Government will produce want and ruin among our people. Lincoln was right and its time we heeded his ad vice i am not going to let america and its Great Companies and workers be taking advantage of us any longer. They have taken advantage of our country. No longer. [applause] im going to bring back millions of jobs, protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration. [applause] the current outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers and puts great pressure on taxpayers. Nations around the world like canada australia, and many others have a meritbased immigration system. [applause] its a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially. Yet, in america, we do not enforce this rule. Straining the very Public Resources that our poorest citizens rely upon. According to the National Academy of sciences, our current immigration system costs american taxpayers many billions of dollars a year. Switching away from this Current System of lower skilled immigration and instead adopting a meritbased system, we will have so many more benefits. It will save countless dollars, raise workers wages and help struggling families including immigrant families enter the middle class and they will do it quickly and they will be very, very happy, indeed. [applause] i believe that real and positive Immigration Reform is possible as long as we focus on the following goals. To improve jobs and wages for americans. To strength our nations security. And to restore respect for our laws. If we are guided by the wellbeing of american citizens, then i believe republicans and democrats can Work Together to achieve an outcome that has alluded our country for decades. [applause] another republican president , dwight d. Eisenhower, initiated the last truly Great National infrastructu building of the interstate highway system. The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding. [applause] [cheers and applause] america has spent approximately 6 trillion in the middle east, all the while our infrastructure at home is crumbling. With this 6 trillion we could have rebuilt our country twice and maybe even three tes if we had people who had the ability to negotiate. [applause] to launch our national rebuilding, i will be asking congress to approve legislation that 1 trilliondollar investment in infrastructure of the United States, financed through both public and private capital, creating millions of new jobs. [applause] this effort will be guided by two core principles. Buy american and hire american [applause] tonight i am also calling on this congress to repeal and replace obamacare. [cheers and applause] he he he he with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs and at the same time provide better healthcare. [applause] mandating every american to buy government improved Health Insurance was never the right solution for our country. [cheers and applause] the way to make Health Insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of Health Insurance and that is what we are going to do. [cheers and applause] obamacare premiums nationwide have increased by double and triple digits. As an example, arizona went up 116 last year alone governor matt bevin of kentucky just said obamacare is failing in his state. The state of kentucky. And its unsustainable and collapsing. 1 3 of the counties have only one insurer and they are losing them fast. They are losing them so fast. They are leaving and Many Americans have no choice at all. There is no choice left. Remember, when you were told that you could keep your doctor and keep your plan. We now know that all of those promises have been totally broken. Obamacare is collapsing and we must act decisively to protect all americans. [applause] action is not a choice. It is a necessity. So i am calling on all democrats and republicans in congress to work with us to save americans from this imploding obamacare disaster. [applause] here are the principles that should guide congress as we move to create a better Healthcare System for all americans. First, we should ensure that americans with preexisting conditions have access to coverage and that we have a stable transition for americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges. Secondly, we should help americans purchase their own coverage through the use of tax credit and expanded Health Savings accounts but it must be the plan they want. North the plan forced on them by our government. [applause] thirdly, we should give our state governors the resources and flexibility they need with medicaid to make sure that no one is left out. [applause] fourth, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary cause that drive up the price of insurance and i can work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately. [applause] and finally the time has come to give americans the freedom to purchase Health Insurance across state lines. [cheers and applause] which will create a truly Competitive National marketplace that will bring costs way down and provide far better care. So important. Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem can be involved. And every hurting family can find healing and hope. Our citizens deserve this. And so much more. So why not join forces and finally get the job done and get it done right. [applause] on this and so many other things, democrats and republicans should get together and unite for the good of our country. And for the good of the American People. [applause] work with members of both parties to make child care accessible and affordable to help insure new parents that they have paid family leave. [applause] test test test to invest in Womens Health and to promote clean air and clean water and to rebuild our military and our infrastructure. [applause] true love for our people requires us to find Common Ground to advance the common good and to cooperate on behalf of every american child who deserves brighter future. An incredible young woman is with us this evening who should serve as inspiration to us all. Today is rare disease day and joining us in the gallery is a rare disease survivor megan crowley. [applause] megan was diagnosed with Pompe Disease a rare and serious illness when she was 15 months old. She was not expected to live past five. On receiving this megans dad, john, fought with everything he had to save the life of his precious child. He founded a company to look for a cure and help develop the drug that saved megans life. Today she is 20 years old and a sophomore at notre dame. [cheers and applause] megans story is about the unbounded power of a fathers love for a daughter. But our slow and burdensome approval process at the food and Drug Administration keeps too many advances like the one that saved megans life from reaching those in need. If we slash the not just at the fda but across our government, then we will be blessed with far more miracles just like megan. [applause] in fact, our children will grow up in a nation of miracles. But to achieve this future, we must enrich the mind and the souls of every american child. Education is the civil rights issue of our time. [applause] i am calling upon members of both parties to pass an Education Bill that funds School Choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of africanamerican and children. [applause] these families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious, or home school that is right for them. [applause] joining us in the night in the gallery is a remarkable womandeny enisa merriweather. She failed 3rd grade twice she was able to enroll in a private center for learning. Great Learning Center with the help of a tax credit and a scholarship program. Today she is the first in her family to graduate not just from high school but from college. Later this year she will get her masters degree in social work. We want all children to break the cycle of poverty just like denisa. [cheers and applause] but to break the cycle of poverty, we must also break the cycle of violence. The murder rate in 2015 experienced its largest single year increase in nearly half a century. In chicago, moore than 4,000 the were shotter alone and the murder rate this year is even higher. This is not acceptable in our society. Every american child should be able to glow up in a Safe Community to attend a great school and to have access to a high paying job. [ applause ] but to create this future we must work with, not against. Not against, the men and women of law enforcement. Up [applause] [applause] we must build bridges of cooperation and trust, not drive the wedge of disunity and really its what it is division. Its pure unadull ter division. We have to unify. Police and sheriffs are members of our community. They are friends and neighbors. They are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters and they leave behind love ones every day who worry about they will come home safe and sound. We must protect the men and women of law enforcement. [applause] and we must support the victims of crime. I have ordered the department of home land security to create an office to serve american victims. The office is called voice. Victims of immigration crime engagement. We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by special interests. [applause] joining us in the audience tonight are four very brave americans whose government failed them. Their names are jamiel shaw. Susan oliver, jenna oliver, and jessica davis. Jamiels 17yearold son was viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member who had just been released from prison. Jamiel shaw jr. Was an incredible young man with unlimited potential who is getting ready to go to college where he would have excelled as a Great College quarterback. But he never goat the chance. His father, who is in the audience tonight, has become a jamiel, thank you. Thank you. [applause] also with us are susan oliver and jessica davis. Their husbands, Deputy Sheriff danny oliver and detective Michael Davis were slain in the line of duty in california. They were pillars of their community. These brave men were viciously gunned down by an illegal immigrant with a gun record and two prior depoor terrorists. Never should have been in our country. Sitting with susan is her daughter jenna, i want you to know that your father was a hero and that tonight you have the love of an entire country supporting you and praying for you. [applause] to jamiel, jenna, susan, and jessica, i want you to know that we will never stop fighting for justice. Your loved ones will never ever be forgotten. We will always honor their memory. [applause] finally, to keep america safe, we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war, if they have to fight and they only have to win. [applause] i am sending congress a budget that rebuilded military, eliminates the defense sequester [applause] and calls for one of the largest increases in National Defense spending in american history. My budget will also increase funding for our veterans. Our veterans have delivered for this nation and now we [applause] the challenges we faces a a nation are great. But our people are even greater. And none are greater or braver than those who fight for america in uniform. [applause] we are blessed to be joined tonight by carine owens the widow of navy operator senior cleve ryan owens. Ryan died as he lived, a warrior and a hero, battling against criticism and securing our nation. [applause] i just spoke to our great general mattis just now, who reconfirmed that and i quote, ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemy. Ryans legacy is etched into thank you. Thank you. [applause] [cheers and applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] and ryan is looking down right now, you know that, and he is very happy because i think he just broke a record. [applause] is no greater act of love than to lay down ones life for ones friends. Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country and for our freedom and we will never forget ryan [applause] to those allies who wonder what kind of a friend america will be, look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform. Our Foreign Policy calls for a direct robust and meaningful engagement with the world. It is American Leadership based on vital security interests that we share with our allies all globe. We strongly support nato, an Alliance Forged through the bonds of two world wars that dethrone fascism [applause] and the cold war, and defeated communism. [applause] but our partners must meet their financial obligations. And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that. In fact, i can tell you the money is pouring in, very nice. [applause] we expect our partners, whether in nato, the middle east, or in the pacific to take a direct and meaningful role military operations and pay their fair share of the cost. Have to do that. We will respect historic institutions but we will respect the foreign rights of all nations and they have to respect our rights as a nation also. [applause] free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people and america expects the right of all nations to chart their own path. My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of america. [cheers and applause] but we know that america is better off when there is less conflict, not more. We must learn from the mistakes of the past. We have seen the war and the destruction that have ravaged and raged throughout the world, all across the world. The only longterm solution for these humanitarian disasters in many cases is to create the conditions where displaced persons can safely return home and begin the long, long process of rebuilding. [applause] america is willing to find new friends and to forge new partnerships where shrader interests align. We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict. We want peace wherever peace can be found. America is friends today with former some of our closest allies, decades ago fought on the opposite side of these terrible, terrible wars. This history should give us all faith in the possibilities for a better world. Hopefully the 250th year for america will see a world that is more peaceful, more just, and more free. On our 100th anniversary in 876, citizens from across our nation came to philadelphia to celebrate americas centennial. At that celebration, the countrys builders and artists and inventors showed off their wonderful creations. Alexander graham bell displayed his telephone for the first time. Remington unveiled the first typewriter. An early attempt was made at electric light. Thomas edison showed an automatic t electric pen, imagine the wonders our country could know in americas 250th year. [applause] think of the marvels we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams of our people, cures to the illnesses that have always plagued us are not too much to hope u american footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream. Millions lifted from welfare to work is not too much to expect. And streets where mothers are safe from fear, schools where children learn in peace and jobs where americans prosper and grow and too much to ask. [applause] when we have all of this, we have made America Greater than ever before. For all americans, this is our vision, this is our mission. But we can only get there together. We are one people with one destiny. We all bleed the same blood. We all salute the same Great American flag. And we all are made by the same god. [applause] when we fulfill there vision. When we celebrate our 250 years we will look back on tonight as when this new chapter of american greatness began. The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us. We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts. The bravery to express the hopes that sear our souls and the confidence to turn those hopes and those dreams into action. From now on, america will be empowered by our aspirations not burdened bide our fears. Inspired by the future, not bound by failures of the past. And guided by a vision not blinded by our doubts. I am asking all citizens to embrace this renewal of the american spirit. I am asking all members of congress to join me in daring things for our country. I am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment, believe in yourselves, believe in your future, and believe once more in america thank you, and god bless the United States. [cheers and applause] [applause] shepard the president of the United States in his first address to a joint session of congress. And if you had wondered if the moment might come when the new president of the United States could make that pivot towards president ial, if he had it in him i believe the answer has been delivered. This, in my personal opinion, was probably the highlight of his presidency thus far. The finest speech certainly he has given and probably the biggest moment of his political career came as can carine owens the wife who the man who died there. It was certainly bipartisanship at that moment on that issue after a day in which it might well have been needed. A. B. Stoddard is here with us. Associate editor at real clear politics. Com. That had been an issue in the last 24 hours. Speech that his predecessors might have given he seemed to try to put it to bed. That was the most moving of the speech for sure. Corrine owens being applauded by the entire room and her husbands legacy and it was very emotional. Surprising that he went there in so much detail simply because he actually quoted general mattis, his secretary of defense saying that the raid was such a success when there has been reporting to the contrary. And were not sure actually that general mattis has publicly called it a success. He defended the raid in order to honor ryan owens and the room was really swept up by it. It was really the most powerful of the night in what was a spectacular speech for donald trump. Very off mystic. Very unifying. Shepard everything they promised it would be. He didnt find an enemy. He didnt find a foil. He didnt complain he really showed the kind of leadership that republicans, particularly in that r have really been waiting for. You could really see the relief across their faces that it was so positive that he got democrat to their feet on veterans fair, fighting isis, civil rights, language about hate crimes, on and on. Many things to unite the room. The murder rate in inner cities being unacceptable. He really did outstanding job. The kind of thing i think he should have done on january 20th, the day he was inaugurated but a very great night for him. Shepard along the way he had a Little Something for everybody. Anybody who was expecting particulars, specifics and details about policy hasnt watched the state of the union before. Thats not what state of the unions are. State of the unions are broad outlines and con september. When he talked about this being the time for Immigration Reform, that was clearly an olive branch to the democrats, and a point from which everyone can begin on a subject in which everyone has great interest. Right. E if you look at sort of what is left before we are in another election cycle. The fact that they have set out to rereform our Healthcare System after six years of all this sort of turmoil. The tax reform happens only 30 now plane 50 years. Its so difficult. There are so many divided constituencies that usually kill off any effort at these things. And so if you look at the huge, bold ambitious agenda before them and you try to imagine them getting to Immigration Reform. Particularly the base of their party has called for Border Security first. No discussion of legalization or any kind of Movement Forward on that. Visa, anything until they get to a secure border. Its hard to see that happening. I think we will see a lot more state of the Union Addresses before we actually see that coming close to fruition. Shepard he made a somewhat traditional republic push for education reform. I thought the moment with Dinesha Merriweather a young woman failed the 3rd grade twice according to the president had got noon a private center for learning and soon get her masters in social work later this year. He made out School Choice almost voucher argue. That republicans have been making so long that now appears a possibility under betsy devos. It was really a picture perfect moment. I have think it was a kodak moment. But really to have Dinesha Merriweather smile and say thank you to the president it was so uplifting and, again, i thought that was the second best moment of the night after ryan owens widow. Shep shep i did too. Sometimes in these moments we hear something thats a tipping point. In me. The democrats will give their official response. It actually happens a few minutes after he leaves the room. Lets listen in it all started. You are right. Wonderful comments. We had a great time. Appreciate it. This is from your friend. Shepard rich edson is in the room there as donald trump is exiting. Rich, whats your take on how the room took the speech tonight . The room especially, when you look at what republicans had to say, you get the sense when you hear these responses, the applause from the crowd in the beginning republicans seemed just to be happy to have a republican sitting in the white house again in control of the house and the senate. You heard responses from the crowd and the lawmakers in there practically after every sentence in the beginnings. Special when you gout on the agenda items and all so it might be joy for them now because they get to work on the repealing and the replacement of obamacare their tax overhaul. But these are the details that theyd have to argue now with democrats and even argue with themselves with. Special on healthcare. You heard the president s broad outlines on healthcare very much in line from what we heard from republicans in the past. However, shep, many of those things they will have to argue and i will get back to you here get some activity on the floor now. [gavel] for permission the gentleman from california seek recognition. Mr. Speaker, i move that the minutes of the president be Heard Committee of the whole house state of the union and ordered printed. Without objection. Shepard they will print it, they will send it, they will enter it into the record and, you know, roberts rules apply. The question is on the motion to adjourn the for aye. Those oppose dollars say no. The ayes have it the motion is agreed to. Accordingly the house stands adjourned until 10 00 tomorrow when debate. Shepard there have you it rich edson continue new would. If you look at the broad outlines that the president has to say tonight. The broad things that republicans generally agree with preexisting conditions and access to it. A lot of details have to be filled out on that. The tax credit that republicans would give. Details have to be filled out on that. What do you do with the Medicaid Expansion . While the broad themes are there that the president mentioned tonight republicans arent even fully on the same page with a lookout of the details. This is a massive, massive undertaking on healthcare. Thats why the democrats have chosen the form everywhere governor of kentucky to give their response to this. Governor Steve Beshear the former governor of kentucky they love to point out to democrats that they lowered the uninsured rate in kentucky from over 20 pours to 7. 5 . You heard President Trump almost prebutt that by governor in Kentucky Governor matt bevin who has knocked obamacare. Obamacare, a large part of this and there is still a lot of work to be done in the building behind me. Shepard indeed there is. The success of the speech tonight is not to gloss over the fact that republicans are not in lock step on almost any of these matters. These things have to be paid for. The Tea Party Wing of the Republican Party is not going to let that happen easily. This idea of gutting the state department money to pay for defense spending is not going to fly. Republicans in leadership on capitol hill made that perfectly clear today. And matters of budget are very difficult. All of that said, a. B. , there were plenty of opportunities for donald trump to have been drawn off message tonight. When he talked of draining the swamp, there was audible laughter in the room. There was opportunity for him to get in to campaign fight mode and he did not. No. And i think that he genuinely understood thi and his team that this was supposed to be forward looking and optimistic and really president ial to try to sort of put the first chaotic month behind him. I think he took it severously. He would occasionally add annual extra couple words. But i think he knew he was very committed. You could tell he was edge gauged in the process in the sort of formality and somberness you have it. I didnt think he was going to go off script. Once he started and it was the kind of message that we heard, you could tell there was another time where they actually booed or sort of i dont know it was. Shepard jeered a little. For the voice of the victims of immigrant crime engagement. And i dont know why democrats would jeer that. But,. Shepard well, they have been making the points for a long time people are criminals not because they come from somewhere else. Its a line a silly one. E but he kept on scripted and it was smart. Shepard the democratic response is coming up. Chosen the form everywhere Kentucky GovernorSteve Beshear as you heard us speak tonight from a diner in lexington, kentucky. Thats the spot. There is a live look there. It looks like the lexington diner is the spot. He lives there they picked the diner to highlight how policies that come from washington has a regular impact on people across the country. Kentucky is decidedly 00 home state. Steve beshear supported obamacare or the Affordable Care act and supported expanded medicaid. Tonight, he will deliver the response. Of course, the response was written before they knew the content of the speech as it always is, which sometimes leads to awkward moments. We will see how tonight goes as he begins now. Im Steve Beshear. I was governor of kentucky now i am a private citizen. Im here in lexington, kentucky. Some 400 miles from washington. At a diner with some neighbors. Democrats and republicans. Where we just watched out president s address. Im a proud democrat. But first and foremost, im a proud republican. And democrat and mostly american. And like many of you, i am worried about the future of this nation. Look, i grew up in kentucky in a small town called dawson springs. My dad and grand dad were baptist preachers. My family owned a funeral home. And my wife jane and i have been married for almost 50 years. I became governor at the start of the global recession. And after eight years we left things a lot better than we found them. By being fiscally responsible, i even cut my own pay. We balanced our budget surpluses without raising taxes. We cut our Unemployment Rate in half. We made huge gains in High School Graduation rates and we found Health Coverage for over half a million kentuckians. We did that through trust and mutual respect. I listened and i built partnerships with Business Leaders and with republicans in our legislature. We put people first and politics second. The mercury love allowed a small town preacher kid to be elected governor. Taught me to embrace people who are different from me, not vilify them. The mercury love has always been about looking forward, not backward, about working together to find solutions, regardless of what party. Instead of allowing our differences to divide us and hold us back. And we democrats are committed to opportunity for every american to succeed by growing our economy with good paying jobs. Educating and training our people to fill those jobs. Giving our businesses the freedom to innovate. Keeping our country safe and providing healthcare that families can afford and rely on. Mr. President , as a candidate, you promised to be a champion for families struggling to make ends meet. And i hope you live up to that promise. But, one of your very First Executive orders makes it harder for those families to even afford a mortgage. Then you started ruling about rules that provide oversight of the financial industry and safeguard us against another National Economic meltdown. And you picked a cabinet of billionaires and wall street insiders who want to eviscerate the protections that most americans count on and that help level the Playing Field. Thats not being our champion. Thats being wall streets champion. And even more troubling, you and your republican allies in congress seem determined to rip Affordable HealthCare Insurance away from millions of americans who most need it. Does the Affordable Care act need some repairs . Sure it does. But so far every republican idea to replace the Affordable Care act would reduce the number of americans covered, despite your promises to the contrary. Mr. President , folks here in kentucky expect you to keep your word because this isnt a game. Its life and death. For people. These ideas promise access to care but deny the importance of making care affordable and effective. They would charge families more for fewer benefits and put the ins back in control. Behind these ideas is the belief that folks at the lower end of the economic ladder just dont deserve healthcare. That they are somehow their fault that their employer doesnt off insurance or they cant afford to by if health plans. Who are these 22 million americans. Including 500,000 people right here in kentucky who now have healthcare that didnt have it before. Look, theyre not alien from some distant planet. Theyre our friends and our neighbors. We sit in the bleachers with them on friday night. We worship newscast pews with them on sunday morning. Theyre farmers. Restaurant workers. Parttime teachers. Restaurant ich aids and high tech workers working as the high tech startups. Before the affordable c act they woke up every morning and went to work just hoping and praying theyll wouldnt get sick because they knew that they were just one bad diagnosis away from bankruptcy. You know, in 2010, this country made a commitment that every american deserved health care they could afford and rely on. And we democrats are going to do everything in our power to keep President Trump andity Republican Congress from reneging on that commitment. But were going to need your help by speaking out. Another commitment now being tested is to our National Security look, make no mistake, im a military veteran myself and i know that protecting america is a president s highest duty. Yet, President Trump is ignoring serious threats to our National Security from russia, who is not our friend, while alienating our side by side and are our friends in a dangerous world. His approach makes us less safe. And should worry every freedom loving american. Instead, trump has all buff declare war on refugees and immigrants. Look, the president should should enforce our immigration laws but we can protect america without abandoning our principles and our moral obligation to help those fleeing from war and terror. Without tearing families apart and without needed willly jeopardizing our women and men fighting overseas. Another republican president , ronald reagan, once said in america our origins matter less than our desdestination. And that is what President Trump also needs to understand that people may disagree with him from time to time. But that doesnt make them his enemies. When the president attacks the loyalty and credibility of our intelligence agencies, the court system, the military, the free press, individual americans, simply because he doesnt like what they say, he is erofsing our democracy and thats reckless. Real leaders dont spread derision and division. Real leaders strengthen, they unify and they partner. They offer Real Solutions instead i have al at this may tums and blame. Im may be Old Fashioned but i still that coagulation honesty and capability are basic values. As a democrat, i believe that if you work hard, you realize the american dream. Regardless of whether you are a coal miner in kentucky, a teachner rhode island, an auto worker in detroit, or a Software Engineer in san antonio. Our political system is broken. Its broken because too many of our leaders think its all about them. They need to remember that they work for us and helping us is their work. Kentucky made Real Progress while i was governor because of we were minnesota vacated by one thing, helping families u democrats are trying to wring that focus back to washington, d. C. Americans are a diverse people. And we may disagree on a light of things. But we have always come together when we remember that we are one nation under god, indivisible, with thank you. Shepard the democratic response from the former Kentucky GovernorSteve Beshear live from the diner in lexington, kentucky on a tuesday night in america. The president has given his first speech, his first address to a joint session of congress and one of the moments of memory from the night the time for small thinking is behind us the time for trivial fight is over. If that is the case, the news cycle will get a makeover very quickly. Your late local news is coming up a half hour late now on the east coast and in the central time zones. On the west coast and mountain your regular programming and on Fox News Channel on satellite and cable, a whole night of neals begins live now on americas choice for news and information on cable. Im shepard smith. Fox news in washington. This has grit. Some have it, some dont