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."

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

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."

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

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.

"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

Biden asked Vice President Kamala Harris to take the lead on his infrastructure, saying that if she does he knows, "it will get done."

Harris, who already has the monumental task of addressing the root causes of migration on her plate, nodded in the background.

Biden cast his infrastructure bill as a jobs plan, calling it the biggest jobs plan since World War II.

"Look, think about it. There is simply no reason why the blades for wind turbines can't be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing. No reason, none. No reason," Biden said in another strong line that elicited loud cheers.

-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky