WASHINGTON — President Biden is hopeful America is on the road to recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.
He delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress last night. He declared that “America is on the move again” and is turning the crisis and hardship of the coronavirus into opportunity and strength.
The President pointed to the progress in his first 100 days in office, from successfully rolling out COVID vaccines to taking steps to boost the economy. To keep that momentum going, Biden pushed an ambitious agenda. He explained the necessity of the American Jobs Plan — his giant, two-trillion-dollar infrastructure package. He also introduced his American Families Plan, which he says will support families with schooling and childcare.
Biden also addressed racism and policing in the nation. He urged Congress to pass a police reform bill named after George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minnesota.
Biden noted that Republicans have been working with Democrats on this issue, but he stressed it’s time to get the bill passed. To note the urgency, he said “we’ve all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black Americans.”
The president also talked about his American Families Plan. He said the U.S. is competing with the rest of the world to “win the 21st Century.” Biden argued that to “win that competition for the future, we also need to make a once-in-a-generation investment in our families and our children.”
Biden also called for 12-weeks of paid family and medical leave and a hike in the Child Tax Credit. He said the plan can be paid for by making the nation’s wealthiest people and corporations “pay their fair share” in taxes.
