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
Intraparty divisions on display in progressive response to Biden address
The growing chasm between the splintering factions of the Democratic Party was on full display as Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., delivered a response to Biden's address from the Working Families Party. He outlined the progressive agenda and magnified intraparty divisions.
Bowman called on Biden to be more aggressive in pursuing progressive policies, citing the Democratic control of the White House and Congress.
"We need to seize this moment. Republicans have made themselves clear. They tried to steal the election, incited an insurrection, and they believe Derek Chauvin is innocent of murdering George Floyd," Bowman said. "So it’s on us, as Democrats and progressives, to meet the gravity of the moment. And history will judge our actions."
Bowman outlined policy goals on issues including taxing the rich, climate change and voting rights.