State of the Union: Biden rebukes Putin, praises brave Ukrainians, offers 'unity agenda'
"We are stronger today than we were a year ago," the president said.
President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address as Russian strikes were killing civilians, forces were massing near Ukraine's capital Kyiv and Russian President Vladimir Putin showed no sign of backing down.
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Biden touts American Rescue Plan
Pivoting from his remarks on Ukraine, Biden reminded the nation that we “lived through two of the hardest years this nation has ever faced” amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the “punishing” cost that has had on American families.
“So many families are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep up with the rising cost of food, gas, housing, and so much more. I understand.”
Biden highlighted the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law after taking office, saying, "Few pieces of legislation have done more at a critical moment in our history to lift us out of crisis."
He said the legislation "fueled efforts" to vaccinate Americans, deliver relief and cut insurance costs, and he took a swipe at his predecessor’s tax cut bill that was signed in 2017.
“Unlike the $2 trillion tax cut passed in the previous administration that benefitted the top 1% of Americans," he said, prompting scattered boos, "the American Rescue Plan helped working people -- and left no one behind. And it worked. It created jobs. Lots of jobs," he said.
-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez
'He has no idea what's coming,' Biden says of Putin
Biden addressed the severe sanctions the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, saying they have made Russian President Vladimir Putin's "$630 billion war fund worthless."
"Tonight I say to the Russian oligarchs and the corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime, no more," Biden said.
The president further announced that the U.S. will be closing off its airspace to all Russian flights, "further isolating Russia and adding an additional squeeze on their economy."
"He has no idea what's coming," Biden said of Putin.
Show of support for Ukraine on display
Members of Congress are showing solidarity with Ukraine during the State of the Union address, from their clothing to Ukrainian flags in the chamber.
Among those wearing blue are House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and First Lady Jill Biden, whose office confirmed to ABC News she was wearing blue tonight in support of Ukraine. In another sign of support for Ukraine, the first lady has an embroidered appliqué of a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, sewn to the sleeve of her dress near her wrist, according to the White House.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., sported traditional Ukrainian garb.
Ukraine at top of address
Biden kicked off his first State of the Union addressing the conflict in Ukraine.
"Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways," Biden said. "But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined."
He introduced the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Oksana Markarova, who received a standing ovation from the crowd. She was seated with First Lady Jill Biden, holding a small Ukrainian flag.
The Ukrainians' "fearlessness, their courage, their determination, literally inspires the world," Biden said to applause.
Biden takes on calls to 'defund the police'
Speaking in defense of police and law enforcement across the country and receiving a standing ovation from both Republicans and Democrats, Biden made clear that "The answer is not to defund the police, it's to fund the police."