There were some noteworthy moments in Biden historic speech to the sparse chamber.
President Biden addressed a joint Congress session on Wednesday night, delivering his highest-profile speech to the nation on the eve of his 100th day in office.
Here’s the top five moments from Biden’s speech to Wednesday night’s congress session.
Biden’s entry
Biden’s walk to the chamber front was creepy.
Normally, in speeches like this, presidents are mobbed by scores of senators demanding a few seconds of air time on national television. Presidents normally take several minutes to make their way down the aisle, shaking hands, slapping backs, and smiling.
Yet, Biden, Wednesday wasn’t clearly smiling—he was wearing a mask when he stepped into the chamber despite being vaccinated.
Biden dealt fist bumps to many legislators, including Republicans. He got a pat from Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. back and elbow bumped with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But there are more open chamber seats than senators.
And with only a few quick detours, in a few seconds, Biden was in front of the chamber.
The volume of the applause was even deafening.It sounded more like a muted golf clap than the usual raucous cheering of a college football game.
Madam Vice-President
“It’s good to be back,” Biden said after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., declared victory.Biden attended numerous joint speeches and state addresses when he was Barack Obama’s vice president.
“Madam speaker, Madam vice-president,” Biden continued before being applauded.
“No president has spoken those words from this platform. No president ever said these terms. And it’s time, “Biden said.
Biden recognised his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Biden’s remark resembled a similar remark from former President George W. Bush in his 2007 Union State, just after Pelosi was first elected speaker.
“Tonight, I have my own high privilege and distinct honour as the first President to begin the message of the State of the Union with these words: Mrs. Speaker,” Bush said to a standing ovation.
A Dose Of Hope
Biden praised the increasingly rising number of Americans receiving vaccines, adding that nearly 70% of seniors are completely vaccinated and all Americans are eligible for vaccines.
The president recalled a conversation with a nurse delivering vaccines.
“I asked the nurse at a mass vaccination centre in Glendale, Arizona, ‘What’s it like?’ Biden said. “She looked at me and said, ‘Every shot is like a dose of hope.'”
Biden shared a different story about a letter he received from a mother who, after receiving her vaccine, “almost cried out of joy,” was concerned about taking the virus home because she had a child with autoimmune disease.
Partisan plan
Biden received ovations from both sides on Wednesday night on several occasions. But at other times, the chamber’s ideological divide was evident.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, stayed in his seat and didn’t clap when Democrats cheered Biden as he claimed his coronavirus stimulus passage. Republicans were few in number after Biden announced the stimulus “American Rescue Plan” to cut child poverty in half.
Also, a smattering of boos greeted Biden when he suggested raising the minimum wage to $15. In pushing for bipartisan talks on his “American Jobs Package,” a spending plan the White House is marketing as an infrastructure initiative, he received a very cold response from Republicans.
“I’d like to meet people with different ideas, they think they’re better. I welcome the ideas, “Biden said. “But the universe isn’t waiting for us. From my point of view, doing nothing is not a choice. “
In addition, only a few Republicans stood up. Many cheered.
Biden also addressed the polarising topic of gun control, calling out, by name, the National Rifle Association (NRA), a party of most Republicans. He also panned the notion that people need magazines that can carry a handful of bullets.
“Why do you think deer wear Kevlar vests?” Biden laughed a few times.
Afghanistan
“After 20 years of heroic courage and dedication, it’s time to get those troops home,” Biden said of the American troop presence in Afghanistan.
The response to that line wasn’t the evening’s strongest. But members on both sides clapped.
At the time, Biden declared before Congress that he plans to end a war that has dragged on for nearly 20 years, sending many generations of American soldiers overseas.
Biden committed all American troops out of the country by September 11.
Biden’s address Bonus Moment
Somebody’s mobile phone left at about 9:43 p.m. during Biden’s address. It was audible on TV broadcast.
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