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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- Show of support for Ukraine on display
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 departs White House
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden left the White House just a few moments ago for the short drive up Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol, where the president will deliver his first State of the Union address tonight.
Biden did not respond to a shouted question asking if Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed war crimes in Ukraine.
-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez
Biden to call for more policing funding, not defunding the police
Biden tonight will touch on his plan to address crime and make the case for more community-based policing, rather than defunding the police, a White House official told ABC News.
"He'll make clear that the answer is not to defund the police, it’s to put more police -- with better training and more accountability -- out to take back our streets and make our neighborhoods safer," the White House official said. "And he’ll talk about the steps his administration has taken -- and will continue to take -- to advance that accountability and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve."
Biden will also call on Congress to address gun violence, and pass "common-sense" gun violence legislation that will save lives, according to the official.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Biden urges Congress to pass Bipartisan Innovation Act
Highlighting his other key legislation passed last year, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Biden reached across the aisle and thanked GOP members for helping get that bill done.
"We're done talking about infrastructure weeks. We're now talking about an infrastructure decade," he said. "It’s going to transform America to put us on a path to win the economic competition of the 21st century that we face with the rest of the world-- particularly China."
To help the U.S. stay competitive against China, Biden said he needs Congress to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act "that will make record investments in emerging technologies and American manufacturing."
Biden said if this bill gets passed, Intel's CEO is ready to spend $100 billion in investments in domestic manufacturing.
"And all they’re waiting for is for you to pass this bill. So let's not wait any longer," he said. "Send it to my desk. I'll sign it. And we will really take off in a big way."
-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez