Sen. Tim Scott delivered the Republican response to Biden's address.
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.
Biden grew emotional as he discussed research to fight diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. He talked about his moonshot proposal and mentioned his son Beau, who lost his battle to brain cancer in 2015.
"I know of nothing that is more bipartisan, so let's end cancer as we know it," Biden said. "It is within our power. It's within our power to do it."
Biden called on Congress to pass Protect the Right to Organize Act "so we can support the right to unionize."
"Wall Street didn't build this country. The middle class built the country—and unions built the middle class!"
While Biden made the pitch to lawmakers and Americans for his infrastructure legislation, he said that the first thing he thinks about when it comes to climate change is jobs.
"For too long, we failed to use the most important word when it comes to meeting the climate crisis: jobs. Jobs. Jobs," Biden said to a round of applause.
With Democrats working hard in the chamber to match the applause usually generated by 1,600, Biden strode to the podium, turning to Speaker Nancy Pelosi to ask if he could remove his mask, revealing a smile.
Biden turned to the pandemic, acknowledging the unusual surroundings, but setting the theme for the address: Opportunity.
"Tonight, I come to talk about crisis and opportunity. About rebuilding a nation, revitalizing our democracy and winning the future for America," he said. "After 100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for takeoff. We are working again. Dreaming again. Discovering again. Leading the world again. We have shown each other and the world: There is no quit in America."
Biden touted the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan and the ongoing vaccinations across the country. He then urged Americans to immediately to take advantage of those shots.
"Go get vaccinated, America!" Biden shouted. "Go and get the vaccination. They're available. You're eligible now," he said to a loud round of applause.
-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky
