LIVE: President Joe Biden delivers annual State of the Union address | REUTERS

08 Mar 2024 (9 months ago)
LIVE: President Joe Biden delivers annual State of the Union address | REUTERS

Domestic Policy

  • President Biden highlighted the economic progress made during his presidency, including job creation, low unemployment rates, and increased small business formation.
  • He emphasized the importance of investing in American-made products and creating jobs in the United States, citing the Chips and Science Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law as examples.
  • President Biden discussed the success of his economic policies in revitalizing communities like Belador, Illinois, where an auto plant was saved from closure and new battery factories are being built.
  • He criticized trickle-down economics and expressed his commitment to ensuring that the middle class and the poor benefit from economic growth.
  • President Biden announced his plan to cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month and expand Medicare's power to negotiate lower drug prices, saving seniors and taxpayers money.
  • He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act, including making the expanded tax credits for health insurance permanent.
  • President Biden highlighted the importance of women's health research and announced the launch of the first-ever White House initiative on women's health research.
  • To address the rising cost of housing, he proposed a $400 monthly tax credit for first-time homebuyers and homeowners refinancing their mortgages, as well as cracking down on landlords who engage in anti-competitive practices.
  • Biden plans to build and renovate 2 million affordable homes to strengthen the economy.
  • He emphasized the importance of education and wants to provide access to preschool for three and four-year-olds to improve children's chances of success in school.
  • Biden aims to expand high-quality tutoring and summer learning to ensure every child learns to read by third grade.
  • He wants to connect local businesses and high schools to provide students with hands-on experience and a path to good-paying jobs.
  • Biden seeks to make college more affordable by increasing Pell Grants and investing in HBCUs and minority-serving institutions.
  • He has already fixed two student loan programs to reduce the burden of student debt for millions of Americans.
  • Biden wants to give public school teachers a raise and cut the federal deficit by making big corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes.
  • He proposes a minimum tax of 21% for big corporations and a minimum tax of 25% for billionaires to raise revenue for important programs.
  • Biden intends to end tax breaks for big farmers, Big Oil, private jets, and excessive executive pay.
  • He criticizes the low federal tax rate paid by billionaires and proposes a minimum tax to ensure they pay their fair share.
  • Biden plans to invest in affordable childcare, paid leave, home care, and elder care to support families and caregivers.
  • He vows to protect Social Security and Medicare and opposes any attempts to cut them or raise the retirement age.
  • Biden is cracking down on corporations engaging in price gouging and deceptive pricing, including "shrinkflation" and hidden fees.
  • He has proposed rules to require cable, travel, utilities, and online ticket sellers to display the total price upfront.

Foreign Policy

  • President Biden addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, expressing support for Israel's right to defend itself while also emphasizing the need to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.
  • He announced the establishment of a temporary pier in the Mediterranean to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and called on Israel to allow more aid into the region.
  • President Biden addressed the joint session of Congress, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian assistance and a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • He highlighted the need to contain the threat posed by Iran and the importance of strengthening the US economy and standing up to China.

Other Issues

  • President Biden emphasized the significance of passing bipartisan bills, including strengthening penalties on fentanyl trafficking, protecting children online, and supporting veterans.
  • He stressed the importance of embracing freedom, democracy, and core American values such as honesty, decency, dignity, equality, and respect.
  • President Biden expressed optimism about the future of America and emphasized the need for a vision for the future that defends democracy, restores rights, promotes fairness, addresses climate change, and reduces gun violence.
  • He concluded by reaffirming his belief in America and the American people and his commitment to being a president for all Americans.

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