President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address following his second inauguration as commander-in-chief last month.
President Obama entered the House of Representatives Chamber at 9:10 p.m. and arrived to the front of the chamber by 9:14 p.m.
By 9:15 p.m., Speaker of the House John Boehner formally announced President Obama to the House.
Obama started his speech by noting that President John F. Kennedy said the U.S. Constitution should make people partners.
"Tonight...there is much progress to report," said Obama, noting the return of American troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.
"After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over six million new jobs," added Obama.
"Together we have cleared away the revel of crisis...and the state of our union is stronger."
Obama said that despite the positives, there are still people who can't find fulltime employment. He said there is a responsibility in building the middle class.
The president said that the American people don't expect the government to solve every problem but does expect reasonable compromise among political parties.
He said work must begin with the budget, which will lead to the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.
Obama noted the U.S. is near reducing $4 trillion in deficit reduction.
The rising cost of healthcare is a major concern in the current economy but Obama said such problems can be solved with the top percent of Americans.
"We must ask more from the wealthy and powerful," said Obama.
The Affordable Healthcare Act, according to Obama, has helped the economy.
"I am open for additional reforms from both parties," said Obama, as long as it doesn't hinder the older population and their healthcare.
"Now is our best chance for bipartisan, comprehensive tax reform...we can get this done."
He added the American people deserve a tax code that would lower incentives overseas and create more employment within the country.
He noted that 100 percent of each political parties will not get what they want but it shouldn't come at the cost of Americans losing their jobs and benefits.
"We can't do it," said Obama, regarding the government jumping from one manufactured problems to another.
The American people have worked too hard to see their elected officials cause one problem to another, the commander-in-chief said.
"Deficit reduction is not an economic plan."
"Nothing I'm proposing tonight will increase the deficit by a dime," said Obama.
The first priority is to make America a priority for job growth. He noted how Apple, Caterpillar, and Ford are bringing jobs back to the U.S. from abroad.
He announced the creation of three new manufacturing hubs, in order to make the U.S. a "magnet" in adding new jobs.
"If we want to make the best products, we have to invest in new ideas," he added.
In regards to energy, carbon pollution has fallen and natural energy is on the rise but more, according to Obama, has to be done to combat climate change.
"The fact is the 12 hottest years have come in the last 15," said Obama, noting Superstorm Sandy and the recent drought in the Americas.
Obama said progress can be done with Climate Change and urged Congress to enact on the matter. Obama added if Congress doesn't act, that he will and an executive order could take place.
9:36 p.m. - 20 minutes into State of the Union Speech
"So tonight, I propose we use some of our oil and gas revenues to fund an Energy Security Trust that will drive new research and technology to shift our cars and trucks off oil for good."
In addition to the manufacturing sector, "I propose a 'Fix-It-First' program to put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs, like the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country. And to make sure taxpayers don't shoulder the whole burden, I'm also proposing a Partnership to Rebuild America that attracts private capital to upgrade what our businesses need most: modern ports to move our goods; modern pipelines to withstand a storm; modern schools worthy of our children. Let's prove that there is no better place to do business than the United States of America. And let's start right away."
On the topic of the housing sector, Obama said the good news is the U.S. is healing from the 2007 housing issues and how housing prices are in the rise within the last six years.
According to Obama, he urges preschool education to be available to every child across every state.
"Every dollar we invest in high-quality early education can save more than seven dollars later on - by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy, even reducing violent crime," said Obama.
From early education to high school education, Obama noted countries such as Germany has high schoolers receiving an education at the same level as a community college student in the U.S.
"We need to give every American student opportunities like this."
Obama stated a new challenge which will reward schools if they better equip graduated for the demands of a high-tech economy.
"We'll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math - the skills today's employers are looking for to fill jobs right now and in the future."
The tuition costs in college is also a topic of concern.
"Tonight, I ask Congress to change the Higher Education Act, so that affordability and value are included in determining which colleges receive certain types of federal aid. And tomorrow, my Administration will release a new 'College Scorecard' that parents and students can use to compare schools based on a simple criteria: where you can get the most bang for your educational buck."
"To grow our middle class, our citizens must have access to the education and training that today's jobs require. But we also have to make sure that America remains a place where everyone who's willing to work hard has the chance to get ahead," said Obama"
Obama is the U.S. economy gets stronger when utilizing talents, even by immigrants.
On immigration, Obama said "real reform" is stronger border security by adding more boots on the southern border, establishing a responsible pathway to citizenship, a path to background checks, and reduce bureaucracy.
"We know our economy is stronger when our wives, mothers, and daughters can live their lives free from discrimination in the workplace, and free from the fear of domestic violence," said Obama, noting the Senate passing the Violence Against Women Act this afternoon, originally written by then-Pennsylvania Sen. Joe Biden.
"We know our economy is stronger when we reward an honest day's work with honest wages."
Obama proposed to raise the federal minimum age to $9.00 an hour, which would raise the incomes of millions of families.
"In fact, working folks shouldn't have to wait year after year for the minimum wage to go up while CEO pay has never been higher. So here's an idea that Governor Romney and I actually agreed on last year: let's tie the minimum wage to the cost of living, so that it finally becomes a wage you can live on."
The speech transitioned to the involvement in the Middle East.
President Obama noted that 33,000 troops have returned to the U.S. and the goal to leave Afghanistan in 2014 is still a commitment.
Obama noted another 34,000 American troops will return to the U.S. as the American forces enter a "supportive role" in Afghanistan starting this spring.
"We are negotiating an agreement with the Afghan government that focuses on two missions: training and equipping Afghan forces so that the country does not again slip into chaos, and counter-terrorism efforts that allow us to pursue the remnants of al Qaeda and their affiliates."
Obama said al-Qaeda is now "a shadow of its former self," but affiliates have emerged in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.
"The threat these groups pose is evolving. But to meet this threat, we don't need to send tens of thousands of our sons and daughters abroad, or occupy other nations. Instead, we will need to help countries like Yemen, Libya, and Somalia provide for their own security, and help allies who take the fight to terrorists, as we have in Mali. And, where necessary, through a range of capabilities, we will continue to take direct action against those terrorists who pose the gravest threat to Americans."
President Obama confirmed he issued an executive order today that will "strengthen our cyber defenses by increasing information sharing," which will develop standards to protect America's national security, jobs, and privacy.
"Even as we protect our people, we should remember that today's world presents not only dangers, but opportunities."
He also announced talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union.
President Obama said progress in the Middle East will be "messy" but that the U.S. will stand with the Middle East to achieve universal rights and transition to democracy.
Obama confirmed he will travel to the Middle East in March.
"We must all do our part to make sure our God-given rights are protected here at home. That includes our most fundamental right as citizens: the right to vote."
With the topic of voting, Obama announced a non-partisan commission to improve the voting experience. This comes after many Americans waited five to seven hours to cast their vote.
The topic of gun control is next.
"Overwhelming majorities of Americans - Americans who believe in the 2nd Amendment - have come together around commonsense reform - like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun."
Obama noted how senators from both political parties have issued proposals on gun control and said each proposal deserved a vote in Congress, either for or against.
A standing ovation was provided for Hadiya Pendleton's family, Gabby Giffords, the families of Newtown, the families of Aurora, and more affected by gun violence.
"Our actions will not prevent every senseless act of violence in this country. Indeed, no laws, no initiatives, no administrative acts will perfectly solve all the challenges I've outlined tonight. But we were never sent here to be perfect."
He added that politicians were sent to D.C. to help secure the nation and expand opportunities.
"We may do different jobs, and wear different uniforms, and hold different views than the person beside us. But as Americans, we all share the same proud title: We are citizens."
According to President Obama, the word "citizen" "describes the way we're made. It describes what we believe. It captures the enduring idea that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations; that our rights are wrapped up in the rights of others; and that well into our third century as a nation, it remains the task of us all, as citizens of these United States, to be the authors of the next great chapter in our American story."
President Obama concluded his speech at 10:16 p.m. EST with "God bless the United States of America."
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