WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Wednesday night addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time, rolling out his administration's two top priorities in a sweeping legislative agenda - the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan - while touting his achievements on the eve of his 100th day in office, reported Xinhua.
For the first time in US history, two women were seated directly behind the president on the dais: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The American Jobs Plan, a planned investment of US$4 trillion in building climate-friendly infrastructure such as roadways and broadband, would be guided by one principle, 'buy American, buy American," said Biden, pledging that the plan would create "millions of good paying jobs" and be the biggest increase in non-defence research and development on record in the United States.
"Throughout our history, public investments and infrastructure have literally transformed America. These are investments we made together, as one country, and investments that only the government was in a position to make. Time again, they propel us into the future," Biden said.
The American Families Plan will add two years of universal high-quality pre-school for every three- and four-year-old in America, increase Pell Grants and investment in historically black universities, tribal colleges, and minority-serving institutions, provide up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, ensure low- to middle-income families pay no more than 7 per cent of income to care for their children up to the age of five, and expand the child tax credit for every child in a family.
To finance the two plans, Biden said he had no intention of raising the deficit or imposing any tax hikes on people making less than US$400,000 a year. Instead, he proposed major hikes on corporations, investment income and wealthy households.
"It's time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1 per cent of Americans to pay their fair share," said Biden, citing a study which found that "CEOs make 320 times what their average workers make."
"The pandemic has only made things worse," the president continued. "Twenty 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 dollars."
"It's time to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle-out," Biden announced.
However, the two plans face a deeply uncertain fate in Congress, where Democrats hold only a slim majority in both the House and the Senate, analysts say.
The president urged Congress to pass legislation on immigration reform, gun safety, the 15-dollar minimum wage, equal pay for women, as well as expanded protections for members of the LGBTQ community.
He also called on lawmakers from both parties to "find consensus" and pass policing reform by the anniversary of African American George Floyd's death next month. The plans face an uphill battle and will require the support of at least some Republican senators.
In his address, Biden touted his achievements such as pushing his US$1.9-trillion coronavirus relief package through Congress and getting more than 200 million coronavirus vaccine shots within his first 100 days. He also pushed for actions on lowering drug prices and expanding Medicare benefits.
"I was not overly inspired," said moderate Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. "I think he wanted to make sure we knew all of the ins and outs of his various plans. I was looking for more of an uplifting and outreach on the bipartisan note that we heard from the inauguration speech."
Senator Tim Scott, who delivered the Republican rebuttal to Biden's address, argued that the administration's plans on spending and tax hikes would weaken the US economy.
"The actions of the president and his party are pulling us further and further apart," Scott said.
The event was limited to an attendance of 200 people in a locked-down Capitol, instead of the usual 1,600, due to strict security and health restrictions, media reported, adding that Chief Justice John Roberts will be the lone member of the Supreme Court on hand.
The address has been delayed for months. Newly inaugurated presidents generally deliver an address to Congress within weeks of taking office, but Biden has not done so due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said media reports.
--BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Apr 29 2021
Biden rolled out his administration's two top priorities - the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan - when addressing a joint session of Congress for the first time on Wednesday night.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).