[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S891-S896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

                                 ______
                                 

   REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE UNION DELIVERED TO A JOINT SESSION OF 
                    CONGRESS ON MARCH 1, 2022--PM 21

  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:
  Madam Speaker. Madam Vice President. Our First Lady and Second 
Gentleman. Members of Congress and the Cabinet. Justices of the Supreme 
Court. My fellow Americans.
  Last year--COVID-19 kept us apart. This year--we are finally together 
again. Tonight we meet as--Democrats--Republicans--and Independents. 
But most importantly--as Americans. With a duty to one another--to the 
American people, to the Constitution.
  And with an unwavering resolve--that freedom will always triumph over 
tyranny.
  Six days ago--Russia's Vladimir Putin sought to shake the foundations 
of the free world--thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. 
But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine--and 
the world would roll over.
  Instead--he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the 
Ukrainian people. From President Zelenskyy to every Ukrainian--their 
fearlessness--their courage--their determination--inspires the world. 
Groups of citizens blocking tanks with their bodies. Everyone from 
students to retirees--teachers turned soldiers--defending their 
homeland.
  In this struggle--as President Zelenskyy said in his speech to the 
European Parliament--``light will win over darkness.''
  The Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States is here tonight. Let 
each of us here tonight--in this Chamber--send an unmistakable signal 
to Ukraine and to the world.
  Please rise if you are able--and show that--YES--WE the United States 
of America--stand with the Ukrainian people.
  Throughout our history--we've learned this lesson--when dictators do 
not pay a price for their aggression--they cause more chaos. They keep 
moving. And the costs and the threats--to America and the world--keep 
rising.
  That's why the NATO Alliance was created--to secure peace and 
stability in Europe after World War II. The United States is a member--
along with 29 other nations. It matters. American diplomacy matters. 
American resolve matters.
  Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked. He 
rejected repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West--and NATO--
wouldn't respond. And he thought he could divide us at home. Putin was 
WRONG. We were ready. Here is what we did.
  We prepared--extensively and carefully. We spent months building a 
coalition of other freedom-loving nations from--Europe and the 
Americas--to Asia and Africa--to confront Putin.
  I spent countless hours--unifying our European allies. We shared with 
the world--in advance--what we knew Putin was planning--and precisely 
how he would try to falsely justify his aggression. We countered 
Russia's lies with truth.
  And now that he has acted--the free world is holding him accountable. 
Along with--27 members of the European Union--including France, 
Germany, Italy--as well as countries like--the United Kingdom--Canada--
Japan--Korea--Australia--New Zealand, and many others--EVEN 
Switzerland--we are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people 
of Ukraine.
  Putin is now isolated from the world more than ever.
  Together with our allies--we are RIGHT NOW--enforcing powerful 
economic sanctions. We are--cutting off Russia's largest banks from the 
international financial system. Preventing Russia's central bank from 
defending the Russian Ruble--making Putin's $630 billion ``war fund''--
worthless. We are choking off Russia's access to technology that will 
sap its economic strength and weaken its military for years to come.
  Tonight--I say to the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders--who have 
bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime--NO MORE.
  The U.S. Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force 
to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs.
  We are joining with our European allies to--find and seize--your 
yachts--your luxury apartments--your private jets. We are coming for 
your ill-begotten gains.
  And tonight--I am announcing that we will join our allies in closing 
off American air space to ALL Russian flights--further isolating 
Russia--and adding an additional squeeze--on their economy.
  The Ruble has lost 30 percent of its value. The Russian stock market 
has lost 40 percent of its value and trading remains suspended.
  Russia's economy is reeling--and Putin alone is to blame.
  Together with our allies--we are providing support to the Ukrainians 
in their fight for freedom. Military assistance. Economic assistance. 
Humanitarian assistance. We are giving more than $1 billion in direct 
assistance to Ukraine.
  And we will continue to aid the Ukrainian people--as they defend 
their country and to help ease their suffering.
  Let me be clear--our forces ARE NOT engaged and WILL NOT engage--in 
conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine.
  Our forces are NOT going to Europe to fight in Ukraine--but to DEFEND 
our NATO Allies--in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west.
  For that purpose--we've mobilized American--ground forces--air 
squadrons--and ship deployments to protect NATO countries--including--
Poland--Romania--Latvia--Lithuania--and Estonia.
  As I have made crystal clear--the United States and our Allies will 
defend every inch of territory of NATO countries--with the full force 
of our collective power.
  And we remain clear-eyed. The Ukrainians are fighting back--with pure 
courage. But the next few--days--weeks--months--will be hard on them.
  Putin has unleashed violence and chaos. But while he may make gains 
on

[[Page S892]]

the battlefield--he will pay a continuing high price over the long run.
  And a proud Ukrainian people--who have known 30 years of 
independence--have repeatedly shown--that they will not tolerate anyone 
who tries to take their country backwards.
  To all Americans--I will be honest with you--as I've always promised.
  A Russian dictator invading a foreign country has costs around the 
world.
  And I'm taking robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions 
is targeted at Russia's economy.
  And I will use every tool at our disposal to protect American 
businesses and consumers.
  Tonight--I can announce that--the United States has worked with 30 
other countries--to release 60 million barrels of oil--from reserves 
around the world.
  America will lead that effort--releasing 30 million barrels from our 
own Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
  And we stand ready--to do more if necessary--Unified with our allies.
  These steps will help blunt gas prices here at home.
  And I know the news about what's happening can seem alarming.
  But I want you to know that--we're going to be okay.
  When the history of this era is written--Putin's war on Ukraine will 
have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.
  While it shouldn't have taken something so terrible for people around 
the world to see what's at stake--now everyone sees it clearly.
  We see the unity among leaders of nations--and a more unified 
Europe--a more unified West.
  And we see unity among the people--who are gathering in cities in 
large crowds around the world--even in Russia--to demonstrate their 
support for Ukraine.
  In the battle between democracy and autocracy--democracies are rising 
to the moment--and the world is clearly choosing the side--of peace and 
security.
  This is a real test. It's going to take time.
  So--let us continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the 
Ukrainian people.
  To our fellow Ukrainian Americans--who forge a deep bond that 
connects our two nations--we stand with you.
  Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks--but he will never gain the hearts 
and souls of the Ukrainian people. He will never extinguish their love 
of freedom. He will never weaken the resolve of the free world.
  We meet tonight--in an America that has lived through two of the 
hardest years this Nation has ever faced.
  The pandemic has been punishing.
  And so many families are living paycheck to paycheck.
  Struggling to keep up with the rising cost of--food--gas--housing--
and so much more. I understand.
  I remember when my Dad had to leave our home in Scranton, 
Pennsylvania to find work.
  I grew up in a family--where if the price of food went up--you felt 
it. That's why one of the first things I did as President was fight to 
pass the American Rescue Plan. Because people were hurting--we needed 
to act--and we did. Few pieces of legislation have done more--in a 
critical moment in our history--to lift us out of crisis. It fueled our 
efforts to--vaccinate the Nation and combat COVID-19. It delivered 
immediate economic relief--for tens of millions of Americans. Helped 
put food on their tables--keep a roof over their heads--and cut the 
cost of health insurance.
  And as my Dad used to say--it gave people a little breathing room.
  And unlike the $2 trillion tax cut passed in the previous 
administration that benefitted the top 1 percent of Americans--the 
American Rescue Plan helped working people--and left no one behind. And 
it worked. It created jobs. Lots of jobs.
  In fact--our economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last 
year. More jobs created in 1 year than ever before.
  Our economy grew at a rate of 5.7 percent last year--the strongest 
growth in nearly 40 years.
  The first step in bringing fundamental change to an economy that 
hasn't worked for the working people of this Nation for too long.
  For the past 40 years--we were told that if we gave tax breaks to 
those at the very top--the benefits would trickle down to everyone 
else.
  But that trickle-down theory led to--weaker economic growth--lower 
wages--bigger deficits and the widest gap between those at the top and 
everyone else--in nearly a century.
  Vice President Harris and I ran for office--with a new economic 
vision for America. Invest in America. Educate Americans. Grow the 
workforce. Build the economy from the bottom up--and the middle out--
not from the top down. Because we know that when the middle class 
grows--the poor have a ladder up--and the wealthy do very well.
  America used to have the best--roads--bridges--and airports on Earth. 
Now our infrastructure is ranked 13th in the world. We won't be able to 
compete for the jobs of the 21st Century--if we don't fix that.
  That's why it was so important to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure 
Law--the most sweeping investment to rebuild America in history. This 
was a bipartisan effort--and I want to thank the members of both 
parties who worked to make it happen.
  We're done talking about infrastructure weeks. We're going to have an 
infrastructure decade. It is going to transform America. And put us on 
a path to win--the economic competition of the 21st Century that we 
face with the rest of the world--particularly with China.
  As I've told Xi Jinping--it is never a good bet to bet against the 
American people. We'll create good jobs for millions of Americans--
modernizing roads, airports, ports, and waterways--all across America.
  And we'll do it all to withstand the devastating effects of the 
climate crisis--and promote environmental justice. We'll build--a 
national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations. Begin 
to replace--poisonous lead pipes--so every child--and every American--
has clean water to drink at home and school. Provide affordable high-
speed internet for every American--urban, suburban, rural, and tribal 
communities. 4,000 projects have already been announced.
  And tonight--I'm announcing that this year--we will start fixing over 
65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in disrepair.
  When we use taxpayer dollars to rebuild America--we are going to Buy 
American. Buy American products--to support American jobs. The Federal 
Government spends about $600 billion a year to keep the country safe 
and secure. There's been a law on the books for almost a century--to 
make sure taxpayers' dollars support American jobs and businesses.
  Every administration says they'll do it. But we're actually doing it. 
We will buy American to make sure everything from the deck of an 
aircraft carrier--to the steel on highway guardrails--are made in 
America.
  But to compete for the best jobs of the future--we also need to level 
the playing field with China and other competitors.
  That's why--it is so important to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act 
sitting in Congress--that will make record investments in emerging 
technologies--and American manufacturing.
  Let me give you one example of why--it's so important to pass it. If 
you travel 20 miles east of Columbus, Ohio--you'll find 1,000 empty 
acres of land. It won't look like much. But if you stop--and looked 
closely--you'll see a ``field of dreams''. The ground on which 
America's future will be built.
  This is where Intel--the American company that helped build Silicon 
Valley--is going to build its $20 billion semiconductor ``mega site''. 
Up to eight state-of-the-art factories in one place. 10,000 new good-
paying jobs. Some of the most sophisticated manufacturing in the 
world--to make computer chips the size of a fingertip--that power the 
world and our everyday lives. Smartphones. The Internet. Technology we 
have yet to invent.
  But--that's just the beginning.
  Intel's CEO--Pat Gelsinger--who is here tonight--told me they are 
ready to increase their investment from $20 billion to $100 billion. 
That would be one of the biggest investments in manufacturing in 
American history.
  And all they're waiting for--is for you to pass this bill.
  So--let's not wait any longer. Send it to my desk. I'll sign it. And 
we will really take off.
  And Intel is not alone. There's something happening in America. Just 
look

[[Page S893]]

around--and you'll see an amazing story. The rebirth of the pride that 
comes from stamping products ``Made In America''. The revitalization of 
American manufacturing--Companies are choosing to build new factories 
here--when just a few years ago--they would have built them overseas.
  That's what is happening--Ford is investing $11 billion to build 
electric vehicles--creating 11,000 jobs across the country. GM is 
making the largest investment in its history--$7 billion to build 
electric vehicles--creating 4,000 jobs in Michigan.
  All told--we created 369,000 new manufacturing jobs in America--just 
last year. Powered by people I've met--like JoJo Burgess--from 
generations of union steelworkers in Pittsburgh--who's here with us 
tonight.
  As Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown says--``It's time to bury the label 
``Rust Belt.'' It's time.
  But with all the bright spots in our economy--record job growth and 
higher wages--too many families are struggling to keep up with the 
bills. Inflation is robbing them of the gains they might otherwise 
feel. I get it.
  That's why my top priority is getting prices under control. Look--our 
economy roared back faster than most predicted--but the pandemic meant 
that businesses had a hard time hiring enough workers to keep up 
production in their factories.
  The pandemic also disrupted global supply chains. When factories 
close--it takes longer to make goods and get them from the warehouse to 
the store--and prices go up.
  Look at cars. Last year--there weren't enough semiconductors to make 
all the cars that people wanted to buy. And guess what--prices of 
automobiles went up.
  So--we have a choice. One way to fight inflation is to drive down 
wages and make Americans poorer.
  I have a better plan to fight inflation. Lower your COSTS--not your 
wages. Make more cars and semiconductors in America. More 
infrastructure and innovation--in America. More goods moving faster and 
cheaper--in America. More jobs where you can earn a good living--in 
America.
  And instead of relying on foreign supply chains--let's make it in 
America. Economists call it--``increasing the productive capacity of 
our economy.'' I call it building a better America.
  My plan to fight inflation--will lower your costs and lower the 
deficit. 17 Nobel laureates in economics say my plan will ease long-
term inflationary pressures. Top business leaders and most Americans--
support my plan. And here's the plan.

  First--cut the cost of prescription drugs. Just look at insulin. One 
in ten Americans has diabetes. In Virginia--I met a 13-year-old boy 
named Joshua Davis. He and his Dad both have Type 1 diabetes--which 
means they need insulin every day. Insulin costs about $10 a vial to 
make. But drug companies charge families like Joshua and his Dad up to 
30 times more. I spoke with Joshua's mom. Imagine what it's like to--
look at your child who needs insulin and have no idea how you're going 
to pay for it. What it does to your dignity--your ability to look your 
child in the eye to be the parent you expect to be.
  Joshua is here with us tonight. Yesterday was his birthday. Happy 
birthday, buddy. For Joshua--and for the 200,000 other young people 
with Type 1 diabetes--let's cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month so 
everyone can afford it.
  Drug companies will still do very well. And while we're at it--let 
Medicare negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs--like the VA 
already does.
  Look--the American Rescue Plan--is helping millions of families on 
Affordable Care Act plans--save $2,400 a year on their health care 
premiums. Let's close the coverage gap and make those savings 
PERMANENT.
  Second--cut energy costs for families--an average of $500 a year--by 
combatting climate change.
  Let's provide investments and tax credits to weatherize your homes 
and businesses to be energy efficient and you get a tax credit, double 
America's clean energy production in solar, wind, and so much more, and 
lower the price of electric vehicles--saving you another $80 a month 
because you'll never have to pay at the gas pump again.
  Third--cut the cost of child care. Many families pay up to $14,000 a 
year for child care per child. Middle-class and working families 
shouldn't have to pay more than 7 percent of their income for care of 
young children.
  My plan will cut the cost in half for most families--and help 
parents--including millions of women--who left the workforce during the 
pandemic because they couldn't afford child care--to be able to get 
back to work.
  My plan doesn't stop there. It also includes home and long-term care. 
More affordable housing. And Pre-K for every 3- and 4-year-old. All of 
these will lower costs.
  And under my plan--nobody earning less than $400,000 a year--will pay 
an additional penny in new taxes. Nobody.
  The one thing all Americans agree on is that the tax system is NOT 
fair. We have to fix it. I'm not looking to punish anyone. But let's 
make sure corporations and the wealthiest Americans--start paying their 
fair share.
  Just last year--55 Fortune 500 corporations earned $40 billion in 
profits and paid zero dollars in Federal income tax.
  That's simply not fair. That's why I've proposed a 15 percent minimum 
tax rate for corporations.
  We got more than 130 countries to agree on a global minimum tax 
rate--so companies can't get out of paying their taxes at home by 
shipping jobs and factories overseas.
  That's why I've proposed--closing loopholes so the very wealthy--
don't pay a lower tax rate than a teacher or a firefighter.
  So--that's my plan. It will grow the economy--and lower costs for 
families.
  So--what are we waiting for? Let's get this done.
  And while you're at it--confirm my nominees to the Federal Reserve--
which plays a critical role in fighting inflation.
  My plan will not only lower costs to give families a fair shot--it 
will lower the deficit.
  The previous administration not only ballooned the deficit with tax 
cuts for the very wealthy and corporations--it undermined the watchdogs 
whose job was to keep pandemic relief funds from being wasted.
  But in my Administration--the watchdogs have been--welcomed back. 
We're going after the criminals--who stole billions in relief money 
meant for small businesses and millions of Americans.
  And tonight--I'm announcing that the Justice Department will name a 
chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud.
  By the end of this year--the deficit will be down to less than half 
what it was before I took office. The only President ever to cut the 
deficit by more than one trillion dollars in a single year.
  Lowering your costs--also means demanding more competition. I'm a 
capitalist--but capitalism without competition isn't capitalism. It's 
exploitation--and it drives up prices. When corporations don't have to 
compete--their profits go up--your prices go up--and small businesses--
and family farmers and ranchers--go under. We see it happening with 
ocean carriers moving goods in and out of America.
  During the pandemic, these foreign-owned companies raised prices by 
as much as 1,000 percent--and made record profits.
  Tonight--I'm announcing a crackdown on these companies overcharging 
American businesses and consumers.
  And as Wall Street firms take over more nursing homes--quality in 
those homes has gone down--and costs have gone up. That ends on my 
watch.
  Medicare is going to set higher standards for nursing homes--and make 
sure your loved ones get the care they deserve and expect.
  We'll also cut costs and keep the economy going strong--by giving 
workers a fair shot--provide more training and apprenticeships--hire 
them based on their skills not degrees.
  Let's pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and paid leave. Raise the 
minimum wage to $15 an hour--and extend the Child Tax Credit--so no one 
has to raise a family in poverty.
  Let's increase Pell Grants--and increase our historic support of 
HBCUs--and invest in what Jill--our First Lady who teaches full-time--
calls America's best-kept secret--community colleges.
  And let's pass the PRO Act--when a majority of workers want to form a 
union--they shouldn't be stopped.

[[Page S894]]

  When we invest in our workers--when we build the economy from the 
bottom up and the middle out--together--we can do something we haven't 
done in a long time. Build a better America.
  For more than 2 years--COVID-19 has impacted every decision in our 
lives--and the life of the Nation.
  And I know you're--tired--frustrated--and exhausted.
  But I also know this. Because of the progress we've made--because of 
your resilience--and the tools we have--tonight--I can say--we are 
moving forward safely back to more normal routines.
  We've reached a new moment in the fight against COVID-19--with severe 
cases down to a level not seen since last July.
  Just a few days ago--the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--
the CDC--issued new mask guidelines. Under these new guidelines--most 
Americans in most of the country--can now be mask free.
  And based on the projections--more of the country will reach that 
point across the next couple of weeks. Thanks to the progress we have 
made this past year--COVID-19 no longer controls our lives. I know some 
are talking about ``living with COVID-19''. Tonight--I say that we will 
never just accept living with COVID-19. We will continue to combat the 
virus--as we do other diseases.
  And because this is a virus that mutates and spreads--we will stay on 
guard.
  Here are four common sense steps as we move forward safely.
  First--stay protected with vaccines and treatments. We know how 
incredibly effective vaccines are. If you're vaccinated and boosted you 
have the highest degree of protection. We will never give up on 
vaccinating more Americans.
  Now--I know parents with kids under 5 are eager to see a vaccine 
authorized for their children. The scientists are working hard to get 
that done--and we'll be ready with plenty of vaccines when they do.
  We're also ready with anti-viral treatments. If you get COVID-19--the 
Pfizer pill reduces your chances of ending up in the hospital by 90 
percent. We've ordered more of these pills than anyone in the world.
  And Pfizer is working overtime to get us 1 million pills this month--
and more than double that next month.
  And--we're launching the ``Test to Treat'' initiative so people can 
get tested at a pharmacy--and if they're positive--receive antiviral 
pills on the spot at no cost.
  If you're immunocompromised--or have some other vulnerability--we 
have treatments and free high-quality masks. We're leaving no one 
behind--or ignoring anyone's needs as we move forward. And on testing--
we have made hundreds of millions of tests available for you to order 
for free.
  Even if you already ordered free tests--tonight--I am announcing that 
you can order more from COVIDTESTS.gov starting next week.
  Second--we must prepare for new variants. Over the past year--we've 
gotten much better at detecting new variants. If necessary--we'll be 
able to deploy new vaccines within 100 days instead of many more months 
or years. And--if Congress provides the funds we need--we'll have new 
stockpiles of--tests, masks, and pills ready if needed.
  I cannot promise a new variant won't come. But I can promise you 
we'll do everything within our power to be ready if it does.
  Third--we can end the shutdown of schools and businesses. We have the 
tools we need. It's time for Americans to get back to work--and fill 
our great downtowns again. People working from home--can feel safe to 
begin to return to the office.
  We're doing that here in the Federal Government. The vast majority of 
Federal workers will once again work in person.
  Our schools are open--let's keep it that way. Our kids need to be in 
school.
  And with 75 percent of adult Americans fully vaccinated--and 
hospitalizations down by 77 percent--most Americans--can remove their 
masks--return to work--stay in the classroom--and move forward safely.
  We achieved this because we provided--free vaccines--treatments--
tests--and masks.
  Of course--continuing this costs money. I will soon send Congress a 
request. The vast majority of Americans have used these tools and may 
want to again--so I expect Congress to pass it quickly.
  Fourth--we will continue vaccinating the world. We've sent 475 
million vaccine doses to 112 countries--more than any other nation. And 
we won't stop.
  We have lost so much to COVID-19. Time with one another. And worst of 
all--so much loss of life. Let's use this moment to re-set. Let's stop 
looking at COVID-19--as a partisan dividing line--and see it for what 
it is--a God-awful disease. Let's stop seeing each other as enemies--
and start seeing each other for who we really are: fellow Americans.
  We can't change how divided we've been. But we can change how we move 
forward--on COVID-19--and other issues we must face together.
  I recently visited the New York City Police Department days after the 
funerals of Officer Wilbert Mora--and his partner--Officer Jason 
Rivera. They were responding to a 9-1-1 call--when a man shot and 
killed them with a stolen gun. Officer Mora was 27 years old. Officer 
Rivera was 22. Both Dominican Americans who'd grown up on the same 
streets they later chose to patrol as police officers. I spoke with 
their families--and told them--that we are forever in debt for their 
sacrifice--and we will carry on their mission to restore the trust and 
safety every community deserves.
  I've worked on these issues a long time. I know what works investing 
in crime prevention and community police officers--who'll walk the 
beat--who'll know the neighborhood and who can restore trust and 
safety. So let's not abandon our streets. Or choose between safety and 
equal justice. Let's come together to protect our communities--restore 
trust--and hold law enforcement accountable.
  That's why the Justice Department required body cameras--banned 
chokeholds--and restricted no-knock warrants for its officers. That's 
why the American Rescue Plan provided $350 billion that cities, States, 
and counties--can use to hire more police--and invest in proven 
strategies like community violence interruption--trusted messengers 
breaking the cycle of violence and trauma and giving young people hope.
  We should all agree--the answer is not to defund the police. The 
answer is to FUND the police--with the resources and training they need 
to protect our communities.
  I ask Democrats and Republicans alike: Pass my budget and keep our 
neighborhoods safe.
  And I will keep doing everything in my power to crack down on gun 
trafficking and ghost guns you can buy online and make at home. They 
have no serial numbers--and can't be traced.
  And I ask Congress to pass proven measures to reduce gun violence. 
Pass universal background checks. Why should anyone on a terrorist list 
be able to purchase a weapon? Ban assault weapons and high-capacity 
magazines. Repeal the liability shield that makes gun manufacturers the 
only industry in America that can't be sued. These laws don't infringe 
on the Second Amendment. They save lives.
  The most fundamental right in America is the right to vote--and have 
it counted. And it's under assault. In State after State--new laws have 
been passed--not only to suppress the vote--but to subvert entire 
elections. We cannot let this happen.
  Tonight--I call on the Senate to: Pass the Freedom to Vote Act; Pass 
the John Lewis Voting Rights Act; and while you're at it--pass the 
Disclose Act--so Americans can know who is funding our elections.
  Tonight--I'd like to honor someone who has dedicated his life to 
serve this country--Justice Stephen Breyer--an Army veteran--
Constitutional scholar--and retiring Justice of the United States 
Supreme Court.
  Justice Breyer--thank you for your service.
  One of the most serious constitutional responsibilities a President 
has--is nominating someone to serve on the United States Supreme Court. 
And I did that 4 days ago--when I nominated Circuit Court of Appeals 
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

[[Page S895]]

  One of our Nation's top legal minds who will continue Justice 
Breyer's legacy of excellence. A former top litigator in private 
practice. A former Federal public defender. And from a family of--
public school educators and police officers--a consensus builder.
  Since she's been nominated--she's received a broad range of support--
from the Fraternal Order of Police to former judges appointed by 
Democrats and Republicans.
  And if we are to advance liberty and justice--we need to secure the 
border and fix the immigration system. We can do both.
  At our border--we've installed new technology--like cutting-edge 
scanners--to better detect drug smuggling. We've set up joint patrols 
with Mexico and Guatemala to catch more human traffickers. We're 
putting in place dedicated immigration judges so families fleeing 
persecution and violence can have their cases heard faster. We're 
securing commitments and supporting partners in South and Central 
America to host more refugees and secure their own borders.
  We can do all this while keeping lit the torch of liberty that has 
led generations of immigrants to this land--my forefathers and so many 
of yours. Provide a pathway to citizenship--for Dreamers--those on 
temporary status--farm workers--and essential workers.
  Revise our laws--so businesses have the workers they need and 
families don't wait decades to reunite. It's not only the right thing 
to do--it's the economically smart thing to do.
  That's why immigration reform is supported by--everyone from labor 
unions to religious leaders to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Let's get 
it done once and for all.
  Advancing liberty and justice also requires protecting the rights of 
women. The constitutional right affirmed in Roe v. Wade--standing 
precedent for half a century--is under attack--as never before. If we 
want to go forward--not backward--we must protect access to health 
care. Preserve a woman's right to choose. And let's continue to advance 
maternal health care in America.
  And for our LGBTQ+ Americans--let's finally get the bipartisan 
Equality Act to my desk. The onslaught of State laws targeting 
transgender Americans and their families is WRONG. As I said last 
year--especially to our younger transgender Americans--I will always 
have your back as your President--so you can be yourself--and reach 
your God-given potential.
  While it often appears that we never agree--that isn't true.
  I signed 80 bipartisan bills into law last year. From preventing 
government shutdowns. To protecting Asian-Americans from--still-too-
common hate crimes. To reforming military justice. And soon--we'll 
strengthen the Violence Against Women Act that I first wrote three 
decades ago.
  It is important for us to show the Nation that we can come together 
and do big things.
  So--tonight I'm offering a Unity Agenda for the Nation. Four big 
things we can do together.
  First--beat the opioid epidemic. There is so much we can do. Increase 
funding for--prevention--treatment--harm reduction--and recovery. Get 
rid of outdated rules that stop doctors from prescribing treatments.
  And stop the flow of illicit drugs by working with State and local 
law enforcement to go after traffickers.
  If you're suffering from addiction--know you are not alone. I believe 
in recovery--and I celebrate the 23 million Americans in recovery.
  Second--let's take on mental health. Especially among our children 
whose lives and education have been turned upside down. The American 
Rescue Plan gave schools money to hire teachers and help students make 
up for lost learning. I urge every parent to make sure your school does 
just that. And we can all play a part. Sign up to be a tutor or a 
mentor.
  Children were also struggling before the pandemic. Bullying--
violence--trauma--and the harms of social media. As Frances Haugen--who 
is here with us tonight--has shown we must hold social media platforms 
accountable for the national experiment they're conducting on our 
children--for profit.
  It's time to--strengthen privacy protections--ban targeted 
advertising to children--demand tech companies stop collecting personal 
data on our children.
  And let's get all Americans the mental health services they need. 
More people they can turn to for help and full parity between physical 
and mental health care.
  Third--support our veterans. Veterans are the best of us. I've always 
believed that--we have a sacred obligation to equip all those we send 
to war--and care for them and their families when they come home.
  My Administration is providing assistance with job training and 
housing --and now helping lower-income veterans get VA care debt-free.
  Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan faced many dangers. One was being 
stationed at bases--and breathing in--toxic smoke from ``burn pits'' 
that incinerated--wastes of war--medical and hazard material, jet fuel, 
and more.
  When they came home many of the world's fittest and best trained 
warriors were never the same.
  Headaches. Numbness. Dizziness. A cancer that would put them in a 
flag-draped coffin. I know. One of those soldiers was my Major Beau 
Biden. We don't know for sure if a burn pit was the cause of his brain 
cancer or the diseases of so many of our troops. But I'm committed to 
finding out everything we can. Committed to military families like 
Danielle Robinson from Ohio, the widow of Sergeant First Class Heath 
Robinson. He was born a soldier. Army National Guard. Combat medic in 
Kosovo and Iraq. Stationed near Baghdad just yards from burn pits the 
size of football fields.
  Heath's widow Danielle is here with us tonight. They loved going to 
Ohio State football games. He loved building Legos with their daughter. 
But cancer from prolonged exposure to burn pits ravaged Heath's lungs 
and body. Danielle says Heath was a fighter to the very end. He didn't 
know how to stop fighting--and neither did she. Through her pain--she 
found purpose--to demand we do better.
  Tonight--Danielle--we are.
  The VA is pioneering new ways of linking toxic exposures to 
diseases--already helping more veterans get benefits.
  And tonight--I'm announcing we're expanding eligibility to veterans 
suffering from nine respiratory cancers.
  I'm also calling on Congress--Pass a law to make sure veterans 
devastated by toxic exposures in Iraq and Afghanistan finally get the 
benefits and comprehensive health care they deserve.
  And fourth--let's end cancer as we know it.
  This is personal to me and Jill--to Kamala and to so many of you. 
Cancer is the #2 cause of death in America--second only to heart 
disease.
  Last month--I announced our plan to supercharge the Cancer Moonshot 
that President Obama asked me to lead 6 years ago.
  Our goal is to--cut the cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over 
the next 25 years.
  Turn more cancers from death sentences into treatable diseases. More 
support for patients and families.
  To get there--I call on Congress to fund ARPA-H--the Advanced 
Research Projects Agency for Health.
  It's based on DARPA--the Defense Department project that led to the 
Internet, GPS, and so much more.
  ARPA-H will have a singular purpose--to drive breakthroughs in 
cancer--Alzheimer's--diabetes--and more.
  A unity agenda for the Nation. We can do this.
  My fellow Americans--tonight--we have gathered in a sacred space--The 
citadel of our democracy. In this Capitol--generation after 
generation--Americans have debated great questions amid great strife--
and have done great things.
  We have fought for freedom. Expanded liberty. Defeated 
totalitarianism and terror. And built the--Strongest. Freest. And most 
prosperous Nation the world has ever known.
  Now is the hour. Our moment of responsibility. Our test of resolve 
and conscience--Of history itself.
  It is in this moment that our character is formed. Our purpose is 
found. Our future is forged. Well--I know this Nation--we will meet the 
test.
  To protect freedom and liberty. To expand fairness and opportunity. 
We will save democracy.

[[Page S896]]

  As hard as these times have been--I am more optimistic about America 
today than I have been my whole life.
  Because I see the future that is within our grasp.
  Because I know there is simply nothing beyond our capacity.
  We are the only nation on Earth that has always turned every crisis 
we have faced into an opportunity.
  The only nation that can be defined by a single word: Possibilities.
  So on this night--in our 246th year as a Nation--I have come to 
report on the State of the Union.
  And my report is this: the State of the Union is strong--because 
you--the American people--are strong.
  We are stronger today--than we were a year ago.
  And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today.
  Now is our moment--to meet and--overcome the challenges--of our time.
  And we will.
  As One People.
  One America.
  The United States of America.
  May God bless you all. May God protect our troops.
                                                Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,  
The White House, March 1, 2022.

                          ____________________