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.
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:
2 women to sit behind Biden in historic 1st
Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have arrived in the House chamber, and both will sit behind Biden as he delivers his speech Wednesday, in what will be a historic first.
When Harris arrived at the Capitol, ABC News' Allison Pecorin asked her about the significance of two women sitting behind the president.
"Normal," she said and then continued walking.
Biden’s 1st 100 days show how partisan things have become: FiveThirtyEight
As Biden is set to address the nation and mark his first 100 days in office, FiveThirtyEight examines how his approval rating did not enjoy the "honeymoon" period that some former presidents had, in large part because of how polarized politics have become.
-FiveThirtyEight's Geoffrey Skelley
Homecoming for Biden, 'a man of the Senate'
In previewing the president's address to the joint session of Congress, White House Correspondent MaryAlice Parks said on ABC News Live that this is a homecoming for Biden, who sat in the audience for more than 30 years as a senator and eight years as vice president.
"Tonight is his night," she said.
Lawmakers reflect on what they want Biden to address
Lawmakers are expecting different things as they tune in to Biden's joint address Wednesday night.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told ABC News on Wednesday that she is "delighted" that big progressive pushes like child care made it into the White House's proposal, calling it a "win." But aides to moderate Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., told ABC News Wednesday night that the price tag makes him "uncomfortable."
Republicans, however, want to hear the president commit to working across the aisle on the next piece of legislation. As Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., puts the final touches on his speech responding to Biden's address, he said he's hoping to address where Democrats and Republicans can find common ground.
"My goal is to just to be myself and share with the country what I think the priorities are and how we can do those priorities together, as opposed to not," Scott told ABC News.
-ABC News Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott
Biden speech excerpt: 'Inherited a nation in crisis'
In a speech excerpt released by the White House this evening, Biden discusses the challenges America faced when he took office.
"As I stand here tonight, we are just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration. 100 days since I took the oath of office—lifted my hand off our family Bible—and inherited a nation in crisis," Biden said in the excerpt. "The worst pandemic in a century. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.
Now—after just 100 days—I can report to the nation: America is on the move again. Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength," Biden will say.
-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky