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.
Latest headlines:
- 'The state of the union is strong, because of you': Biden concludes speech with optimistic outlook
- Biden takes on calls to 'defund the police'
- Biden urges Congress to pass Bipartisan Innovation Act
- Biden touts American Rescue Plan
- 'He has no idea what's coming,' Biden says of Putin
- Show of support for Ukraine on display
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."
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
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.
Justice Breyer in spotlight
Biden took a few moments to thank retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer for his service on the bench and asked the justice to stand and be recognized.
Breyer has been one of the most loyal attendees of State of the Union addresses over the past 20 years -- and tonight he was clearly touched by the presidential tribute.
Biden then immediately pivoted to his nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill that seat.
“Since she’s been nominated, she’s received a broad range of support," Biden said.
-ABC News' Devin Dwyer and Justin Gomez