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Biden lays out plan for America 'on the move again' in address to Congress

Sen. Tim Scott delivered the Republican response to Biden's address.

ByMichelle Stoddart and Lauren King
Last Updated: April 29, 2021, 6:21 AM EDT

On his 99th day in office, Biden made the case for his policy agenda and updated the nation in his first address to a joint session of Congress.

Biden finished his speech with a great message of hope for Americans who overcame a year of tumult, saying that he is "more confident or optimistic about America."

"Folks, as I told every world leader I ever met with over the years, it's never ever, ever been a good bet to bet against America and it still isn't," Biden said, to a great round of applause. "There is not a single thing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity. We can do whatever we set our minds to if we do it together. So let's begin to get together."

Sen. Tim Scott’s Republican response followed.

"Our president seems like a good man. His speech was full of good words," Scott said. "But three months in, the actions of the president and his party are pulling us further and further apart."

Following Biden's first address to a joint session of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris will sit down for an exclusive interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

The latest:

This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
Apr 28, 2021, 9:18 PM EDT

'America is on the move again': Biden

Biden began his speech by saying that when he took office, "America's house was on fire," citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

"One hundred days since I took the oath of office and lifted my hand off our family bible and inherited a nation -- we all did -- that was in crisis," Biden said. "The worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation America is on the move again."

Apr 28, 2021, 9:13 PM EDT

'And it's about time,' Biden says about female vice president, House speaker

Biden began his speech by greeting Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then noting the historic nature of having two women seated behind him by saying that it's "about time."

Vice President Kamala Harris greets Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, ahead of US President Joe Biden addressing a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol, April 28, 2021.
Doug Mills/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

"Madam speaker, madam vice president," Biden said. "No president has ever said those words from this podium."

Apr 28, 2021, 9:11 PM EDT

Biden arrives, fist bumps lawmakers ahead of address

Biden arrived to the House chamber and fist bumped lawmakers as he made his way to the dais to deliver his speech.

Apr 28, 2021, 9:11 PM EDT

Gen. Milley, Chief Justice Roberts among those attending address

The guest list for lawmakers and other Washington VIPs was scaled back in keeping with COVID-19 social distancing protocols.

Among those on the guest list is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts -- though none of the other military chiefs of Supreme Court justices are in attendance.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Sen. Bernie Sanders listen as President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2021.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Biden's full Cabinet is also not in attendance, so there is not a designated survivor for the event -- another change to the event.

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