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:
Excerpt: Biden makes pitch for infrastructure plan directly to Americans
In another speech excerpt released by the White House this evening, Biden speaks directly to blue-collar workers in making his pitch for his infrastructure legislation.
"Now, I know some of you at home wonder whether these jobs are for you," Biden says. "You feel left behind and forgotten in an economy that’s rapidly changing. Let me speak directly to you. Independent experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic growth for years to come. These are good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced."
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
First lady holds virtual reception in lieu of traditional box of guests
While there will be no invited guests in the 'First Lady’s Box' in the House gallery tonight because of pandemic restrictions, first lady Jill Biden hosted a virtual version this afternoon with five invited guests that the White House said "personify some of the issues or policies that will be addressed by the president in his speech."
The guests, included a DACA recipient, the first transgender teen to testify before Congress and a gun violence prevention advocate, highlighting a sharp contrast with former President Donald Trump, who awarded Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom at his final State of the Union address.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Biden in 'really good mood' ahead of address, WH press secretary Psaki says
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden "feels good" ahead of his speech tonight. Psaki, speaking to reporters outside the White House this afternoon, added that Biden was in "a really good mood and is looking forward" to the address.
Psaki said that Biden has been focusing today on fine-tuning his remarks and noted he has been working on the speech every day this week and over the last few weeks.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Biden takes credit for vaccine rollout, but supply always expected to expand
Biden is correct that his administration has made great strides in the vaccine rollout, but the credit isn’t entirely his. While his numbers are accurate, they miss critical context.
“When I was sworn in on Jan. 20, less than 1% of the seniors in America were fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said. “One hundred days later, 70% of seniors in America over 65 are protected.”
When Biden took office on Jan. 20, only two vaccines -- Pfizer and Moderna -- had been authorized for a little more than a month. Supply was low early on, but always expected to ramp up through spring.
The Trump administration had initiated government contracts with the vaccine makers, and tapped the military to help oversee distribution. Trump aides also set up the program for some 40,000 pharmacies to deliver the vaccinations -- a program Biden referenced in his speech.
Biden has since relied on those Trump-era contracts and pharmacy program to expand vaccinations to Americans.
Where Biden can take credit: Expanding government contracts with vaccine makers to buy more doses. He also set up federally run mass vaccination sites, as well as mobile clinics, with a focus on hard-hit areas. And he’s partnered with community centers to help deliver the vaccine in disadvantaged communities.
-ABC News' Anne Flaherty