Presidential Address Before a Joint Session of Congress
Summary
House Document 117–1 is a message from the President of the United States transmitting the President's address before a joint session of Congress, dated April 28, 2021 at THE WHITE HOUSE. The address states that after 100 days the American Rescue Plan was passed and that over 220 million COVID shots will have been provided in 100 days, after a promise of 100 million. It states that $1,400 rescue checks are being sent to 85% of all American households and that the economy created more than 1.3 million new jobs in 100 days. It also says the International Monetary Fund is estimating that the economy will grow at a rate of more than 6% this year.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
- Issuer
- Congressional materials
- Document type
- Cdoc Cdoc 117Hdoc1 Cdoc 117Hdoc1
- Case
- Cdoc Cdoc 117Hdoc1 Cdoc 117Hdoc1
Cite this document
“Presidential Address Before a Joint Session of Congress.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/cdoc-cdoc-117hdoc1-cdoc-117hdoc1/
, SHA-256 e0acfccedd765982ed85212a3506861137c52ade5de3b80546a5212c77b4d350.Full text
1
117th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 117–1
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BEFORE A JOINT SESSION
OF CONGRESS
MESSAGE
FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
TRANSMITTING
THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS BEFORE A JOINT SESSION
OF CONGRESS
APRIL 30, 2021.—Message and accompanying papers referred to the Com-
mittee on the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
19–011 WASHINGTON : 2021
E:\Seals\Congress.#13
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4012 Sfmt 4012 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4012 Sfmt 4012 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
To the Congress of the United States:
Madam Speaker. Madam Vice President. No President has ever
said those words from this podium, and it’s about time. The First
Lady. The Second Gentleman. Mr. Chief Justice. Members of the
United States Congress and the Cabinet. My fellow Americans.
While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very dif-
ferent—a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in.
Throughout our history, Presidents have come to this chamber to
speak to the Congress, to the Nation, and to the world.
To declare war. To celebrate peace. To announce new plans and
possibilities.
Tonight, I come to talk about crisis—and opportunity. About re-
building our Nation—and revitalizing our democracy. And winning
the future. For America.
As I stand here tonight—just one day shy of the 100th day of my
Administration. 100 days since I took the oath of office—lifted my
hand off our family Bible—and inherited a nation in crisis. The
worst pandemic in a century. The worst economic crisis since the
Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the
Civil War.
Now—after just 100 days—I can report to the Nation: AMERICA
IS ON THE MOVE AGAIN.
Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback
into strength. Life can knock us down. But in America—we never
stay down. In America—we always get up.
And today—that’s what we’re doing: America is rising anew.
Choosing hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness.
After 100 days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for take-
off.
We are working again. Dreaming again. Discovering again. Lead-
ing the world again.
We have shown each other—and the world: There is no quit in
America.
100 days ago, America’s house was on fire. We had to act.
And thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Speaker Pelosi
and Majority Leader Schumer—
And with the overwhelming support of the American people—
Democrats, Independents, and Republicans—we did act.
Together—we passed the American Rescue Plan. One of the most
consequential rescue packages in American history.
We’re already seeing the results.
After I promised 100 million COVID–19 vaccine shots in 100
days—we will have provided over 220 million COVID shots in 100
days. We’re marshalling every Federal resource. We’ve gotten the
vaccine to nearly 40,000 pharmacies and over 700 community
health centers.
(1)
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
2
We’re setting up community vaccination sites and are deploying
mobile units into hard-to-reach areas.
Today, 90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination
site.
Everyone—over the age of 16—everyone—is now eligible and can
get vaccinated right away.
So, get vaccinated now.
When I was sworn in, less than 1% of seniors were fully is now
vaccinated against COVID–19.
100 days later, nearly 70% of seniors are fully protected.
Senior deaths from COVID–19 are down 80% since January.
Down 80%. And, more than half of all adults in America have got-
ten at least one shot.
At a mass vaccination center in Glendale, Arizona, I asked a
nurse what it’s like. She looked and said every shot feels like a
dose of hope.
A dose of hope for the educator in Florida who has a child who
suffers from an auto-immune disease. She wrote to me that she
was worried about bringing the virus home. When she got vac-
cinated, she sat in her car and just cried. Cried out of joy, Cried
out of relief.
Parents are seeing smiles on their kids’ faces—as they go back
to school—because teachers and school bus drivers, cafeteria work-
ers have been vaccinated.
Grandparents—hugging their children and grandchildren instead
of pressing their hands against a window to say goodbye. It means
everything to both of them.
There’s still more work to do—to beat this virus. We can’t let our
guard down now.
But tonight—I can say because of you—the American people—
our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst
pandemics in history is one of the greatest logistical achievements
our country has ever seen.
What else have we done these first 100 days?
We kept our commitment and we are sending $1,400 rescue
checks to 85% of all American households.
We’ve already sent more than 160 million checks out the door.
It’s making a difference. For many people, it’s making all the dif-
ference in the world.
A single mom in Texas wrote to me. She said when she couldn’t
work—this relief check put food on the table and saved her and her
son from eviction.
A grandmother in Virginia told me she immediately took her
granddaughter to the eye doctor—something she put off for months
because she didn’t have the money.
One of the defining images of this crisis—has been cars lined up
for miles—waiting for a box of food to be put in the trunk.
Did you ever think you’d see that in America?
That’s why the American Rescue Plan is delivering food and nu-
trition assistance to millions of Americans facing hunger and hun-
ger is down sharply already.
We’re also providing: Rental assistance to keep people from being
evicted from their homes.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
3
Providing loans to keep small businesses open and their employ-
ees on the job.
During these 100 days an additional 800,000 Americans enrolled
in the Affordable Care Act because I established a special sign up
period to do that.
We’re making one of the largest one-time investments EVER in
improving health care for veterans.
Critical investments to address the opioid crisis.
And, maybe most importantly—thanks to the American Rescue
Plan—we are on track to cut child poverty in America in half this
year.
In the process the economy created more than 1.3 million new
jobs in 100 days.
More new jobs in the first 100 days—than any President on
record.
The International Monetary Fund is now estimating our economy
will grow at a rate of more than 6% this year.
That will be the fastest pace of economic growth in this country
in nearly four decades.
America is moving. Moving forward. And we can’t stop now.
We’re in a competition with China and other countries to win the
21st Century.
We have to do more than just build back. We have to build back
better.
Throughout our history, public investments and infrastructure
have transformed America.
The transcontinental railroad and interstate highways united
two oceans and brought us into a totally new age of progress.
Universal public school and college aid opened wide the doors of
opportunity.
Scientific breakthroughs took us to the Moon and now to Mars,
discovered vaccines, and gave us the Internet and so much more.
These are the investments we make together, as one country,
and that only government can make.
Time and again—they propel us into the future.
That’s why I proposed the American Jobs Plan—a once-in-a-gen-
eration investment in America itself. The largest jobs plan since
World War II.
It creates jobs to upgrade our transportation infrastructure. Jobs
modernizing roads, bridges and highways. Jobs building ports and
airports, rail corridors and transit lines.
It’s clean water.
Today—up to 10 million homes—and more than 400,000 schools
and child care centers—have pipes with lead in them, including for
drinking water.
A clear and present danger to our children’s health.
The American Jobs Plan creates jobs replacing 100% of the Na-
tion’s lead pipes and service lines—so every American—so every
child—can turn on the faucet and be certain to drink clean water.
It creates jobs connecting every American with high-speed inter-
net, including 35% of rural Americans who still don’t have it.
This will help our kids and businesses succeed in a 21st Century
economy. And I am asking the Vice President to help lead this ef-
fort.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
4
It creates jobs by building a modern power grid. Our grids are
vulnerable to storms, hacks, and catastrophic failures—with tragic
results as we saw in Texas and elsewhere during winter storms.
The American Jobs Plan will create jobs to lay thousands of
miles of transmission lines needed to build a resilient and fully
clean grid.
The American Jobs Plan will help millions of people get back to
their jobs and their careers.
2 million women have dropped out of the workforce during this
pandemic—too often because they couldn’t get the care they need
for their family, their children.
800,000 families are on a Medicaid waiting list right now to get
homecare for their aging parent or loved one with a disability.
This plan will help these families and create jobs for our care-
givers with better wages and better benefits.
For too long, we have failed to use the most important word
when it comes to meeting the climate crisis. Jobs. Jobs. For me,
when I think about climate change, I think jobs.
The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction
workers to work building more energy efficient buildings and
homes.
Electrical workers—installing 500,000 charging stations along
our highways.
Farmers planting cover crops, so they can reduce carbon dioxide
in the air and get paid for doing it.
There’s no reason the blades for wind turbines—can’t be built in
Pittsburgh instead of Beijing. No reason why American workers
can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and bat-
teries.
The American Jobs Plan will create millions of good paying
jobs—jobs Americans can raise their families on.
And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan will be guid-
ed by one principle: ‘‘Buy American.’’
American tax dollars are going to be used to buy American prod-
ucts made in America that create American jobs. The way it should
be.
Now, I know some of you at home are wondering whether these
jobs are for you. You feel left behind and forgotten in an economy
that’s rapidly changing.
Let me speak directly to you.
Independent experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add
millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic growth for years
to come. These are good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced.
Nearly 90% of the infrastructure jobs created in the American
Jobs Plan do not require a college degree. 75% do not require an
associate’s degree.
The American Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build Amer-
ica. And, it recognizes something I’ve always said. Wall Street
didn’t build this country. The middle class built this country. And
unions build the middle class.
And that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the
Right to Organize Act—the PRO Act—and send it to my desk to
support the right to unionize.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
5
By the way, let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage. No one
should work 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line.
And we need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for
women. Let’s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk for equal
pay. It’s long past time.
Finally, the American Jobs Plan will be the biggest increase in
non-defense research and development on record.
We will see more technological change in the next 10 years than
we saw in the last 50 years.
And we’re falling behind in that competition.
Decades ago, we used to invest 2% of our GDP on research and
development.
Today, we spend less than 1%. China and other countries are
closing in fast.
We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies
of the future—advanced batteries, biotechnology, computer chips,
and clean energy. The Defense Department has an agency called
DARPA—the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—that’s
there to develop breakthroughs to enhance our national security—
which led to the internet and GPS and so much more.
The National Institutes of Health, the NIH, should create a simi-
lar Advanced Research Projects Agency—for Health.
To develop breakthroughs to prevent, detect, and treat diseases
like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer.
This is personal to so many of us. I can think of no more worthy
investment. And I know of nothing that is more bipartisan.
Let’s end cancer as we know it. It’s within our power.
Investments in jobs and infrastructure like the ones we’re talking
about have often had bipartisan support.
Vice President Harris and I meet regularly in the Oval Office
with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the American Jobs
Plan.
And I applaud a group of Republican Senators who just put for-
ward their proposal.
So, let’s get to work. We welcome ideas. But, the rest of the
world isn’t waiting for us. Doing nothing is not an option.
We can’t be so busy competing with each other that we forget the
competition is with the rest of the world to win the 21st Century.
To win that competition for the future, we also need to make a
once-in-a-generation investment in our families—in our children.
That’s why I’m introducing the American Families Plan tonight,
which addresses four of the biggest challenges facing American
families today.
First, access to a good education.
When this Nation made 12 years of public education universal in
the last century, it made us the best-educated and best-prepared
nation in the world.
But the world is catching up. They are not waiting.
12 years is no longer enough today to compete in the 21st Cen-
tury.
That’s why the American Families Plan guarantees four addi-
tional years of public education for every person in America start-
ing as early as we can.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
6
We add two years of universal high-quality pre-school for every
3- and 4-year-old in America.
The research shows that when a young child goes to school—not
day care—they are far more likely to graduate from high school
and go on to college.
And then we add two years of free community college.
And we will increase Pell Grants and investment in Historically
Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, and Minority-
Serving Institutions.
Jill is a community college professor who teaches today as First
Lady. She has long said any country that out-educates us is going
to outcompete us—and she’ll be leading this effort.
Second, the American Families plan will provide access to qual-
ity, affordable child care. We guarantee that low- to middle-income
families will pay no more than 7% of their income for high-quality
care for children up to the age of 5. The most hard-pressed working
families won’t have to spend a dime.
Third, the American Families Plan will finally provide up to 12
weeks of paid family and medical leave. No one should have to
choose between a job and paycheck or taking care of themselves
and a loved one—a parent, spouse, or child.
And fourth, the American Families Plan puts money directly into
the pockets of millions of families. In March we expanded a tax
credit for every child in a family. Up to a $3,000 Child Tax Credit
for children over 6—and $3,600 for children under 6. With two par-
ents, two kids, that’s up to $7,200 in your pocket to help take care
of your family. This will help more than 65 million children and
help cut child poverty in half this year. Together, let’s extend the
Child Tax Credit at least through the end of 2025.
The American Rescue Plan lowered health care premiums for 9
million Americans who buy their coverage under the Affordable
Care Act. Let’s make that provision permanent so their premiums
don’t go back up.
In addition to my Families Plan, I will work with Congress to ad-
dress—this year—other critical priorities for America’s families.
The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for millions of Ameri-
cans—protecting people with pre-existing conditions, protecting
women’s health. And the pandemic has demonstrated how badly it
is needed. Let’s lower deductibles for working families on the Af-
fordable Care Act.
And let’s lower prescription drug costs. We all know how out-
rageously expensive they are. In fact, we pay the highest prescrip-
tion drug prices in the world right here in America—nearly three
times as much as other countries. We can change that.
Let’s do what we’ve always talked about. Let’s give Medicare the
power to save hundreds of billions of dollars by negotiating lower
prices for prescription drugs. That won’t just help people on Medi-
care—it will lower prescription drug costs for everyone. The money
we save can go to strengthen the Affordable Care Act—expand
Medicare coverage and benefits—without costing taxpayers one ad-
ditional penny. We’ve talked about it long enough—Democrats and
Republicans. Let’s get it done this year.
This is all about a simple premise: Health care should be a right,
not a privilege in America.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
7
So how do we pay for my Jobs and Family Plans? I’ve made clear
that we can do it without increasing deficits. Let’s start with what
I will not do. I will not impose any tax increases on people making
less than $400,000 a year.
It’s time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1% of Ameri-
cans to pay their fair share. Just pay their fair share.
A recent study shows that 55 of the nation’s biggest corporations
paid zero in Federal income tax last year. No Federal taxes on
more than $40 billion in profits. A lot of companies evade taxes
through tax havens from Switzerland to Bermuda to the Cayman
Islands. And they benefit from tax loopholes and deductions that
allow for offshoring jobs and shifting profits overseas. That’s not
right. We’re going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair
share—and help pay for the public investments their businesses
will benefit from.
And, we’re going to reward work, not wealth. We take the top tax
bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans—those making
$400,000 or more—back up to 39.6%. That’s where it was when
George W. Bush became president.
We’re going to get rid of the loopholes that allow Americans who
make more than $1 million a year pay a lower rate on their capital
gains than working Americans pay on their work. This will only af-
fect three tenths of 1% of all Americans.
And the IRS will crack down on millionaires and billionaires who
cheat on their taxes. That’s estimated to be billions of dollars.
Look, I’m not out to punish anyone. But I will NOT add to the
tax burden of the middle class of this country. They’re already pay-
ing enough. What I’ve proposed is fair. It’s fiscally responsible. It
raises the revenue to pay for the plans I’ve proposed that will cre-
ate millions of jobs and grow the economy.
When you hear someone say that they don’t want to raise taxes
on the wealthiest 1% and on corporate America—ask them: whose
taxes are you going to raise instead, and whose are you going to
cut?
Look at the big tax cut in 2017. It was supposed to pay for itself
and generate vast economic growth. Instead it added $2 trillion to
the deficit. It was a huge windfall for corporate America and those
at the very top.
Instead of using the tax savings to raise wages and invest in re-
search and development, it poured billions of dollars into the pock-
ets of CEOs. In fact, the pay gap between CEOs and their workers
is now among the largest in history.
According to one study, CEOs make 320 times what their aver-
age workers make. The pandemic has only made things worse. 20
million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic—working- and
middle-class Americans.
At the same time, the roughly 650 billionaires in America saw
their net worth increase by more than $1 trillion.
Let me say that again.
Just 650 people increased their wealth by more than $1 trillion
during this pandemic.
They are now worth more than $4 trillion.
My fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has never worked.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
8
It’s time to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle-
out.
A broad consensus of economists—left, right, center—agree that
what I’m proposing will help create millions of jobs and generate
historic economic growth. These are among the highest value in-
vestments we can make as a nation.
I’ve often said that our greatest strength is the power of our ex-
ample—not just the example of our power.
And in my conversations with world leaders—many I’ve known
for a long time—the comment I hear most often is: we see that
America is back—but for how long?
My fellow Americans, we have to show not just that we are back,
but that we are here to stay.
And that we aren’t going it alone—we’re going to be leading with
our allies.
No one nation can deal with all the crises of our time alone—
from terrorism to nuclear proliferation to mass migration, cyberse-
curity, climate change—and as we’re experiencing now, pandemics.
There’s no wall high enough to keep any virus away.
As our own vaccine supply grows to meet our needs—and we are
meeting them—we will become an arsenal of vaccines for other
countries—just as America was the arsenal of democracy in World
War II.
The climate crisis is not our fight alone, either. It’s a global fight.
The United States accounts for less than 15% of carbon emis-
sions.
The rest of the world accounts for 85%.
That’s why I kept my commitment to rejoin the Paris Climate
Agreement on my first day in office.
And I kept my commitment to convene a climate summit right
here in America, with all of the major economies of the world—
from China and Russia to India and the European Union in my
first 100 days.
I wanted the world to see that there is consensus that we are at
an inflection point in history.
And the consensus is if we act, we can save the planet—and we
can create millions of jobs and economic growth and opportunity to
raise the standard of living for everyone in the world.
The investments I’ve proposed tonight also advance a foreign pol-
icy that benefits the middle class.
That means making sure every nation plays by the same rules
in the global economy, including China.
In my discussion with President Xi, I told him that we welcome
the competition—and that we are not looking for conflict.
But I made absolutely clear that I will defend American interests
across the board.
America will stand up to unfair trade practices that undercut
American workers and industries, like subsidies for state-owned
enterprises and the theft of American technologies and intellectual
property.
I also told President Xi that we will maintain a strong military
presence in the Indo-Pacific just as we do with NATO in Europe—
not to start conflict—but to prevent conflict.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
9
And, I told him what I’ve said to many world leaders—that
America won’t back away from our commitment to human rights
and fundamental freedoms.
No responsible American President can remain silent when basic
human rights are violated.
A President has to represent the essence of our country.
America is an idea—unique in the world. We are all created
equal. It’s who we are. We cannot walk away from that principle.
With regard to Russia, I made very clear to President Putin that
while we don’t seek escalation, their actions have consequences.
I responded in a direct and proportionate way to Russia’s inter-
ference in our elections and cyber-attacks on our government and
businesses—and they did both of those things and I did respond.
But we can also cooperate when it’s in our mutual interests.
As we did when we extended the New START Treaty on nuclear
arms—and as we’re working to do on the climate crisis.
On Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs that present a seri-
ous threat to America’s security and world security—we will be
working closely with our allies to address the threats posed by both
of these countries through diplomacy and stern deterrence.
And American leadership means ending the forever war in Af-
ghanistan.
We have the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.
And I’m the first President in 40 years who knows what it means
to have had a child serving in a warzone.
Today we have service members serving in the same war as their
parents once did.
We have service members in Afghanistan who were not yet born
on 9/11. War in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multi-
generational undertaking of nation-building. We went to Afghani-
stan to get the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. We delivered
justice to Osama Bin Laden and we degraded the terrorist threat
of al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
After 20 years of American valor and sacrifice, it’s time to bring
our troops home.
Even as we do, we will maintain an over-the-horizon capability
to suppress future threats to the homeland.
But make no mistake—the terrorist threat has evolved beyond
Afghanistan since 2001 and we will remain vigilant against threats
to the United States, wherever they come from.
Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and other
places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond.
And, we won’t ignore what our own intelligence agencies have
determined—the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today
is from white supremacist terrorism.
And my fellow Americans, we must come together to heal the
soul of this Nation.
It was nearly a year ago before her father’s funeral, when I spoke
with Gianna Floyd, George Floyd’s young daughter. As I knelt
down to talk to her so we could talk eye-to-eye, she said to me,
‘‘Daddy changed the world.’’
After the conviction of George Floyd’s murderer, we can see how
right she was—if we have the courage to act.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
10
We have all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black
America.
Now is our opportunity to make real progress.
Most men and women in uniform wear their badge and serve
their communities honorably.
I know them. I know they want to help meet this moment as
well.
My fellow Americans, we have to come together. To rebuild trust
between law enforcement and the people they serve. To root out
systemic racism in our criminal justice system. And to enact police
reform in George Floyd’s name that passed the House already.
I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are engaged
in productive discussions with Democrats. We need to work to-
gether to find a consensus. Let’s get it done next month, by the
first anniversary of George Floyd’s death. The country supports
this reform. Congress should act.
We have a giant opportunity to bend to the arc of the moral uni-
verse toward justice. Real justice.
And with the plans I outlined tonight, we have a real chance to
root out systemic racism that plagues American life in many other
ways. A chance to deliver real equity. Good jobs and good schools.
Affordable housing. Clean air and clean water.
Being able to generate wealth and pass it down through genera-
tions. Real opportunities in the lives of more Americans—Black,
white, Latino, Asian American, Native American.
I also want to thank the Senate for voting 94–1 to pass the
COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act to protect Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders from the vicious hate crimes we’ve seen this past year—
and for too long.
I urge the House to do the same and send that legislation to my
desk as soon as possible.
I also hope Congress can get to my desk the Equality Act to pro-
tect the rights of LGBTQ Americans.
To all the transgender Americans watching at home—especially
the young people who are so brave—I want you to know that your
President has your back.
And another thing. Let’s reauthorize the Violence Against
Women Act, which has been law in this country for 27 years since
I first wrote it.
It will close the so-called ‘‘boyfriend’’ loophole to keep guns out
of the hands of abusers. It’s estimated that more than 50 women
are shot and killed by an intimate partner—every month in Amer-
ica. Pass it and save lives.
And I need not tell anyone this, but gun violence is an epidemic
in America.
Our flag at the White House was still flying at half-staff for the
8 victims of the mass shooting in Georgia, when 10 more lives were
taken in a mass shooting in Colorado.
In the week between those mass shootings, more than 250 other
Americans were shot dead. 250 shot dead.
I know how hard it is to make progress on this issue.
In the 1990s, we passed universal background checks and a ban
on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that hold 100
rounds that can be fired in seconds.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
11
We beat the NRA. Mass shootings and gun violence declined.
But in the early 2000’s, that law expired and we’ve seen the daily
bloodshed since.
More than two weeks ago in the Rose Garden, surrounded by
some of the bravest people I know—the survivors and families who
lost loved ones to gun violence—I laid out several steps the Depart-
ment of Justice is taking to end this epidemic.
One of them is banning so-called ‘‘ghost guns.’’ They are home-
made guns built from a kit that includes the directions on how to
finish the firearm. The parts have no serial numbers, so when they
show up at a crime scene, they can’t be traced.
The buyers of ghost gun kits aren’t required to pass a back-
ground check. Anyone from a criminal to a terrorist could buy this
kit and, in as little as 30 minutes, put together a lethal weapon.
But not anymore.
I will do everything in my power to protect the American people
from this epidemic of gun violence.
But it’s time for Congress to act as well.
We need more Senate Republicans to join with the overwhelming
majority of their Democratic colleagues, and close loopholes and re-
quire background checks to purchase a gun.
And we need a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity maga-
zines again.
Don’t tell me it can’t be done. We’ve done it before . . . and it
worked.
Talk to most responsible gun owners, most hunters—they’ll tell
you there’s no possible justification for having 100 rounds—100
bullets—in a weapon.
They will tell you that there are too many people today who are
able to buy a gun, but who shouldn’t be able to.
These kinds of reasonable reforms have the overwhelming sup-
port of the American people—including many gun owners.
The country supports reform, and the Congress should act.
This shouldn’t be a Red vs. Blue issue. It’s an American issue.
And here’s what else we can do.
Immigration has always been essential to America. Let’s end our
exhausting war over immigration. For more than 30 years, politi-
cians have talked about immigration reform and done nothing
about it. It’s time to fix it.
On day one of my Presidency, I kept my commitment and I sent
a comprehensive immigration bill to Congress.
If you believe we need a secure border—pass it.
If you believe in a pathway to citizenship—pass it.
If you actually want to solve the problem—I have sent you a bill,
now pass it.
We also have to get at the root of the problem of why people are
fleeing to our southern border from Guatemala, Honduras, El Sal-
vador. The violence. The corruption. The gangs. The political insta-
bility. Hunger. Hurricanes. Earthquakes.
When I was Vice President, I focused on providing the help need-
ed to address these root causes of migration. It helped keep people
in their own countries instead of being forced to leave. Our plan
worked. But the last administration shut it down.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
12
I’m restoring the program and asked Vice President Harris to
lead our diplomatic efforts. I have absolute confidence she will get
the job done.
Now, if Congress won’t pass my plan—let’s at least pass what we
agree on.
Congress needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure pro-
tection for the Dreamers—the young people who have only known
America as their home.
And, permanent protections for immigrants on temporary pro-
tected status who come from countries beset by man-made and nat-
ural made violence and disaster.
As well as a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers who put food
on our tables.
Immigrants have done so much for America during the pan-
demic—as they have throughout our history. The country supports
immigration reform. Congress should act.
And if we are to truly restore the soul of America—we need to
protect the sacred right to vote.
More people voted in the last Presidential election than ever be-
fore in our history—in the middle of one of the worst pandemics
ever. That should be celebrated.
Instead it’s being attacked. Congress should pass H.R. 1 and the
John Lewis Voting Rights Act and send them to my desk right
away. The country supports it. Congress should act.
As we gather here tonight, the images of a violent mob assault-
ing this Capitol—desecrating our democracy—remain vivid in our
minds.
Lives were put at risk. Lives were lost. Extraordinary courage
was summoned.
The insurrection was an existential crisis—a test of whether our
democracy could survive.
It did.
But the struggle is far from over. The question of whether our
democracy will long endure is both ancient and urgent.
As old as our Republic. Still vital today. Can our democracy de-
liver on its promise that all of us—created equal in the image of
God—have a chance to lead lives of dignity, respect, and possi-
bility?
Can our democracy deliver on the most pressing needs of our
people?
Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that
have pulled us apart?
America’s adversaries—the autocrats of the world—are betting it
can’t.
They believe we are too full of anger and division and rage.
They look at the images of the mob that assaulted this Capitol
as proof that the sun is setting on American democracy.
They are wrong.
And we have to prove them wrong.
We have to prove democracy still works. That our government
still works—and can deliver for the people.
In our first 100 days together, we have acted to restore the peo-
ple’s faith in our democracy to deliver.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
13
We’re vaccinating the Nation. We’re creating hundreds of thou-
sands of jobs. We’re delivering real results people can see and feel
in their own lives. Opening the doors of opportunity. Guaranteeing
fairness and justice. That’s the essence of America. That’s democ-
racy in action.
Our Constitution opens with the words, ‘‘We the People’’.
It’s time we remembered that We the People are the government.
You and I. Not some force in a distant capital. Not some powerful
force we have no control over. It’s us. It’s ‘‘We the People.’’
In another era when our democracy was tested, Franklin Roo-
sevelt reminded us—in America: we do our part.
That’s all I’m asking. That we all do our part.
And if we do, then we will meet the central challenge of the age
by proving that democracy is durable and strong.
The autocrats will not win the future. America will. The future
will belong to America.
I stand here tonight before you in a new and vital hour in the
life of our democracy and our Nation.
And I can say with absolute confidence: I have never been more
confident or more optimistic about America.
We have stared into an abyss of insurrection and autocracy—of
pandemic and pain—and ‘‘We the People’’ did not flinch.
At the very moment our adversaries were certain we would pull
apart and fail.
We came together. United. With light and hope, we summoned
new strength and new resolve. To position us to win the competi-
tion for the 21st Century. On our way forward to a Union more
perfect. More prosperous. More just—As one people. One Nation.
One America.
It’s never been a good bet to bet against America. And it still
isn’t. We are the United States of America.
There is nothing—nothing—beyond our capacity—nothing we
can’t do—if we do it together.
May God bless you all.
May God protect our troops.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN, Jr.
THE WHITE HOUSE, April 28, 2021.
Æ
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REPORT
VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:00 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019011 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6611 E:\HR\OC\HD001.XXX HD001
File and source
- File
- CDOC_cdoc-117hdoc1_cdoc-117hdoc1.pdf
- Size
- 277,703 bytes
- SHA-256
- e0acfccedd765982ed85212a3506861137c52ade5de3b80546a5212c77b4d350
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov