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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, 10:07 PM EDT

Some Republicans not on board as Biden touts accomplishments

While Biden boasts about his accomplishments in his first 100 days and laid out his infrastructure proposal, some Republicans in the House chamber -- and outside of it -- are not on board.

Republican Senators Mike Lee, Shelly Moore Capito, Ted Cruz and Jim Risch listen to President Joe Biden deliver his first address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress inside the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst/Pool via Reuters

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is among those who took issue with the infrastructure policy, calling it "wasteful" in a tweet Wednesday night.

"The Real State of the Union: Biden wants to increase taxes to pay for his radical proposals," Cruz said in a tweet. "Clearly, he doesn’t understand the impact tax hikes have on hardworking Americans and their families."

Apr 28, 2021, 9:58 PM EDT

Biden warns he'll go it alone because doing nothing 'is not an option'

Biden addressed the fractured nature of Washington, defending his inability to get bipartisan support on his COVID relief bill, or infrastructure plan so far. But Biden offered a warning: that he is still willing to go it alone if compromise can't be reached.

"I like to meet with those who have ideas that are different, that they think are better," Biden said. "I welcome those ideas. But the rest of the world is not waiting for us. I just want to be clear, from my perspective, doing nothing is not an option."

President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 28, 2021.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Biden turned to the idea that autocratic leaders believe democracy won't work in the 21st century, saying passing legislation at home is crucial to disproving the despots.

-ABC News Sarah Kolinovsky

Apr 28, 2021, 9:52 PM EDT

Biden calls on wealthy to 'pay their fair share'

Biden said that he thinks it's time for corporations and the wealthiest Americans to pay "their fair share," while acknowledging disagreements within the Democratic Party about taxes on the wealthy.

"Sometimes I have arguments with my friends in the Democratic Party," Biden said. "I think you should be able to become a billionaire and a millionaire, but pay your fair share."

Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi listen to President Joe Biden address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2021.
Melina Mara/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Biden added that he will not increase taxes on the middle class, saying that, "they're already paying enough."

Apr 28, 2021, 9:47 PM EDT

Biden calls for $15 minimum wage

The president briefly turned to an initiative he has already failed to pass: a $15 minimum wage.

After much back-and-forth on Capitol Hill, the Senate parliamentarian ultimately ruled this provision could not be passed under budget reconciliation rules, and was dropped from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. 

Biden, apparently, thinks the fight isn't over... despite the fact he will never get 10 Republicans to join Democrats in the Senate to pass it.

"And by the way, while you’re thinking about sending things to my desk, [chuckles] let's raise the minimum wage to $15," Biden said. "No one, no one working 40 hours a week, no one working 40 hours a week should live below the poverty line." 

Once again nodding to the historic pair of women behind him, Biden called on Congress to pass the Equal Pay Act.

President Joe Biden turns to applaud Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2021.
Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

"We need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for women. And while we're doing this, let's get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk as well. Equal pay. It's been much too long.
And if you wonder whether it’s too long, look behind you," Biden added.

-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky

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