[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1495-S1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                          PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

                                 ______
                                 

 ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT DELIVERED TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS ON 
                        FEBRUARY 28, 2017--PM 2

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States which was ordered to lie on the 
table:

To the Congress of the United States:
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady 
of the United States, and Citizens of America:
  Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black 
History Month, we are reminded of our Nation's path toward civil rights 
and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish 
Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last 
week's 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 its forms.
  Each American generation 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 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 ready to lead.
  All the nations of the world--friend or foe--will find that America 
is strong, America is proud, and America is free.
  In 9 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 like as we reach our 250th year? What kind 
of country will we leave for our children?
  I will not allow the mistakes of recent decades past to define the 
course of our future.
  For too long, we've watched our middle class shrink as we've exported 
our jobs and wealth to foreign countries.
  We've financed and built one global project after another, but 
ignored the fates of our children in the inner cities of Chicago, 
Baltimore, Detroit--and so many other places throughout our land.
  We've 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 we've spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our 
infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled.
  Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. The rebellion 
started as a 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.
  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 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.
  It's been a little over a month since my inauguration, and I want to 
take this moment to update the Nation on the progress I've made in 
keeping those promises.
  Since my election, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, 
Softbank, Lockheed, Intel, Walmart, and many others, have announced 
that they will invest billions of dollars in the United States and will 
create tens of thousands of new American jobs.
  The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value 
since the election on November 8th, a record. We've saved taxpayers 
hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of the 
fantastic new F-35 jet fighter, and will be saving billions more 
dollars on contracts all across our Government. We have placed a hiring 
freeze on non-military and non-essential Federal workers.
  We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing 
a 5 year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials--and a lifetime 
ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.
  We have undertaken a historic effort to eliminate job-crushing 
regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every 
Government agency; imposing a new rule which mandates that for every 1 
new regulation, 2 old regulations must be eliminated; and stopping a 
regulation that threatens the future and livelihoods of our great coal 
miners.
  We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and 
Dakota Access Pipelines--thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs--
and I've issued a new directive that new American pipelines be made 
with American steel.
  We have withdrawn the United States from the job-killing Trans-
Pacific Partnership.
  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.
  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 coordinate an aggressive strategy to 
dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread across our Nation.
  We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning 
our youth--and we will expand treatment for those who have become so 
badly addicted.
  At the same time, my Administration has answered the pleas of the 
American people for immigration enforcement and border security. By 
finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the 
unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer 
for everyone. We want all Americans to succeed--but that can't happen 
in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the 
rule of law to our borders.
  For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great wall 
along our southern border.
  As we speak, we are removing gang members, drug dealers and criminals 
that threaten our communities and prey on our citizens. Bad ones are 
going out as I speak tonight and as I have promised.
  To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I 
would ask you this question: what would you say to the American family 
that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America 
refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?
  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.
  According to data provided by the Department of Justice, the vast 
majority of individuals convicted for terrorism-related offenses since 
9/11 came here from outside of our country. We have seen the attacks at 
home--from Boston to San Bernardino to the Pentagon and yes, even the 
World Trade Center.
  We have seen the attacks in France, in Belgium, in Germany and all 
over the world.

[[Page S1496]]

  It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry 
from places where proper vetting cannot occur. 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 beachhead of terrorism to form inside America--we 
cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.
  That is why my Administration has been working on improved vetting 
procedures, and we will shortly take new steps to keep our Nation 
safe--and to keep out those who would do us harm.
  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, women, and children of all 
faiths and beliefs. We will work with our allies, including our friends 
and allies in the Muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our 
planet.
  I have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who 
support Iran's ballistic missile program, and reaffirmed our 
unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel.
  Finally, I have kept my promise to appoint a Justice to the United 
States Supreme Court--from my list of 20 judges--who will defend our 
Constitution. I am honored to have Maureen Scalia with us in the 
gallery tonight. Her late, great husband, Antonin Scalia, will forever 
be a symbol of American justice. To fill his seat, we have chosen Judge 
Neil Gorsuch, a man of incredible skill, and deep devotion to the law. 
He was confirmed unanimously to the Court of Appeals, and I am asking 
the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination.
  Tonight, as I outline the next steps we must take as a country, we 
must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited.
  Ninety-four 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 1 in 5 people in their prime working years are not working.
  We have the worst financial recovery in 65 years.
  In the last 8 years, the past Administration has put on more new debt 
than nearly all other Presidents combined.
  We've lost more than one-fourth of our manufacturing jobs since NAFTA 
was approved, and we've lost 60,000 factories since China joined the 
World Trade Organization in 2001.
  Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 
billion dollars.
  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 challenge throughout our 
long and storied history.
  But to accomplish our goals 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 harder for companies to leave.
  Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates 
anywhere in the world.
  My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce 
the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere 
and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief 
for the middle class.
  We must create a level playing field for American companies and 
workers.
  Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries 
make us pay very high tariffs and taxes--but when foreign companies 
ship their products into America, we charge them almost nothing.
  I just met with officials and workers from a great American company, 
Harley-Davidson. In fact, they proudly displayed five of their 
magnificent motorcycles, made in the USA, on the front lawn of the 
White House.
  At our meeting, I asked them, how are you doing, how is business? 
They said that it's good. I asked them further how they are doing with 
other countries, mainly international sales. They told me--without even 
complaining because they have been mistreated for so long that they 
have become used to it--that it is very hard to do business with other 
countries because they tax our goods at such a high rate. They said 
that in one case another country taxed their motorcycles at 100 
percent.
  They weren't even asking for change. But I am.
  I believe strongly in free trade but it also has to be 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 it is time we heeded his words. I am not going 
to let America and its great companies and workers, be taken advantage 
of anymore.
  I am going to bring back millions of jobs. Protecting our workers 
also means reforming our system of legal immigration. 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 merit-based immigration system. It is 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 America's taxpayers many billions of dollars a year.
  Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, 
and instead adopting a merit-based system, will have many benefits: it 
will save countless dollars, raise workers' wages, and help struggling 
families--including immigrant families--enter the middle class.
  Another Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, initiated the 
last truly great national infrastructure program--the building of the 
interstate highway system. The time has come for a new program of 
national rebuilding.
  America has spent approximately six trillion dollars in the Middle 
East, all this while our infrastructure at home is crumbling. With this 
six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country--twice. And 
maybe even three times if we had people who had the ability to 
negotiate.
  To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to 
approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the 
infrastructure of the United States--financed through both public and 
private capital--creating millions of new jobs.
  This effort will be guided by two core principles: Buy American, and 
Hire American.
  Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace 
Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower 
costs, and at the same time, provide better Healthcare.
  Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance 
was never the right solution for America. The way to make health 
insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health 
insurance, and that is what we will do.
  Obamacare premiums nationwide have increased by double and triple 
digits. As an example, Arizona went up 116 percent last year alone. 
Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky just said Obamacare is failing in his 
State--it is unsustainable and collapsing.
  One third of counties have only one insurer on the exchanges--leaving 
many Americans with no choice at all.
  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 broken.
  Obamacare is collapsing--and we must act decisively to protect all 
Americans. Action is not a choice--it is a necessity.
  So I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in the Congress to 
work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.
  Here are the principles that should guide the Congress as we move to 
create a better healthcare system for all Americans:
  First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions 
have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for 
Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.

[[Page S1497]]

  Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, 
through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts--
but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the 
Government.
  Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and 
flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.
  Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and 
doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance--
and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring 
them down immediately.
  Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase 
health insurance across State lines--creating a truly competitive 
national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far 
better care.
  Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem 
can be solved. And every hurting family can find healing, and hope.
  Our citizens deserve this, and so much more--so why not join forces 
to finally get it done? 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.
  My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make 
childcare accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have 
paid family leave, to invest in women's health, and to promote clean 
air and clear water, and to rebuild our military and our 
infrastructure.
  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 a brighter future.
  An incredible young woman is with us this evening who should serve as 
an inspiration to us all.
  Today is Rare Disease day, and joining us in the gallery is a Rare 
Disease Survivor, Megan Crowley. Megan was diagnosed with Pompe 
Disease, a rare and serious illness, when she was 15 months old. She 
was not expected to live past 5.
  On receiving this news, Megan's 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 helped develop the drug that saved Megan's life. 
Today she is 20 years old--and a sophomore at Notre Dame.
  Megan's story is about the unbounded power of a father's 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 Megan's 
life, from reaching those in need.
  If we slash the restraints, not just at the FDA but across our 
Government, then we will be blessed with far more miracles like Megan.
  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.
  I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill 
that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of 
African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to 
choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school 
that is right for them.
  Joining us tonight in the gallery is a remarkable woman, Denisha 
Merriweather. As a young girl, Denisha struggled in school and failed 
third grade twice. But then she was able to enroll in a private center 
for learning, with the help of a tax credit 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 be able to break the cycle of poverty just 
like Denisha.
  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, more than 4,000 people were shot last year alone--and the 
murder rate so far this year has been even higher.
  This is not acceptable in our society.
  Every American child should be able to grow up in a safe community, 
to attend a great school, and to have access to a high-paying job.
  But to create this future, we must work with--not against--the men 
and women of law enforcement.
  We must build bridges of cooperation and trust--not drive the wedge 
of disunity and division.
  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 loved ones every day who worry whether or not they'll 
come home safe and sound.
  We must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement.
  And we must support the victims of crime.
  I have ordered the Department of Homeland 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 our media, and silenced by special interests.
  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.
  Jamiel's 17-year-old 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 was 
getting ready to go to college where he would have excelled as a great 
quarterback. But he never got the chance. His father, who is in the 
audience tonight, has become a good friend of mine.
  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 criminal record and two prior deportations.

  Sitting with Susan is her daughter, Jenna. 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.
  To Jamiel, Jenna, Susan and Jessica: I want you to know--we will 
never stop fighting for justice. Your loved ones will never be 
forgotten, we will always honor their memory.
  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 
and--if they must--to fight and to win.
  I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, 
eliminates the Defense sequester, 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 must deliver 
for them.
  The challenges we face as a Nation are great. But our people are even 
greater.
  And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in 
uniform.
  We are blessed to be joined tonight by Carryn Owens, the widow of a 
U.S. Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William ``Ryan'' Owens. Ryan 
died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero--battling against terrorism and 
securing our Nation.
  I just spoke to General Mattis, 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 enemies.'' Ryan's legacy is etched into 
eternity. For as the Bible teaches us, there is no greater act of love 
than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Ryan laid down his life 
for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom--we will never 
forget him.
  To those allies who wonder what kind of 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 across the globe.
  We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two

[[Page S1498]]

World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated 
communism.
  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.
  We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the 
Pacific--to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and 
military operations, and pay their fair share of the cost.
  We will respect historic institutions, but we will also respect the 
sovereign rights of nations.
  Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the 
people--and America respects 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. 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 
destruction that have raged across our world.
  The only long-term solution for these humanitarian disasters is to 
create the conditions where displaced persons can safely return home 
and begin the long process of rebuilding.
  America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new 
partnerships, where shared 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 enemies. Some of our closest allies, decades ago, fought on 
the opposite side of these World 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 1876, citizens from across our Nation 
came to Philadelphia to celebrate America's centennial. At that 
celebration, the country's builders and artists and inventors showed 
off their 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 telegraph and an electric pen.
  Imagine the wonders our country could know in America's 250th year.
  Think of the marvels we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams 
of our people.
  Cures to illnesses that have always plagued us are not too much to 
hope.
  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--are not too 
much to ask.
  When we have all of this, we will 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 flag.
  And we are all made by the same God.
  And when we fulfill this vision; when we celebrate our 250 years of 
glorious freedom, 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 stir our souls.
  And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action.
  From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not 
burdened by our fears--inspired by the future, not bound by the 
failures of the past--and guided by our 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 dreaming big, 
and bold and daring things for our country.
  And I am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment and--
  Believe in yourselves.
  Believe in your future.
  And believe, once more, in America.
  Thank you, God bless you, and God Bless these United States.
                                                        Donald Trump.  
The White House, February 28, 2017.

                          ____________________