members of congress, my fellow americans, we are 15 years into this new century.
years that dawned with terror
this new century. years that dawned with terrortouching our shores that
15 years that dawned with terrortouching our shores that unfolded with a new generation
touching our shores that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly
wars, that saw a vicious
recession spread across our
nation and the world.
it has been and still is a hard
time for many.
but tonight we turn the page.
tonight, after a breakthrough
year for america, our economy is
tonight, after a breakthrough year for america, our economy isgrowing and creating jobs at the
year for america, our economy isgrowing and creating jobs at thefastest pace since 1999.
[ applause ]
our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis.
more of our kids are graduating
than ever before, more of our
people are ensuinsured than eve
before.
and we are as free from the grip
before. and we are as free from the gripof foreign oil as we've been in
hm 30 years.
of foreign oil as we've been in hm 30 years. tonight, for the first time
since 9/11, our combat mission
in afghanistan is over.
six years ago nearly 180,000
american troops served in iraq
and afghanistan.
today fewer than 15,000 remain.
and we salute the courage and
sacrifice of every man and woman
and we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and womanin this 9/11 generation who
served to keep us safe.
in this 9/11 generation who served to keep us safe. we are humble and grateful for
your service.
[ applause ]
america, for all that we have endured, for all the grit and hard work required to come back,
endured, for all the grit and hard work required to come back,for all the tasks that lie
ahead, know this, the shadow of
for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this, the shadow of cries has pa
crisis has passed and the state
of the union is strong.
[ applause ]
at this moment, with the growingeconomy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, booming
economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, booming energy production, we have risen
bustling industry, booming energy production, we have risenfrom recession freer to write
our own future than any other
from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on earth.
it's now up to us to choose who
we want to be over the next 15
years and for decades to come.
will we accept an economy where
only a few of us do
spectacularly well or will we
commit ourselves to an economy
that writes chances for everyone
commit ourselves to an economy that writes chances for everyonewho makes the effort?
will we approach the world
who makes the effort? will we approach the world fearful and reacting, dragged
into costly conflicts that
strain our military or will we
use it wisely, using all element
strain our military or will we use it wisely, using all elementto defeat threats and protect
our planet?
to defeat threats and protect our planet? will we allow ourselves to be
sorted into factions and turned
against one another or will we
recapture the sense of common
purpose that's always propelled
america forward?
in two weeks, i will send this
congress a budget filled with
ideas that are practical, not
partisan.
and in the months ahead, i'll
crisscross the country making a
case for those ideas.
so tonight i want to focus less
on a checklist of proposals and
focus more on the values at
stake in the choices before us.
it begins with our economy.
seven years ago, rebecca and ben
it begins with our economy. seven years ago, rebecca and benerler of membershinneapolis wer
newlyweds.
erler of membershinneapolis wer newlyweds. she waited tables, he worked
construction.
their first child jack was on
the way.
they were young and in love in
america.
and it doesn't get much better
than that.
if only we had known, rebekah
wrote to me last spring, what
was about to happen to the
housing and construction market,
was about to happen to the housing and construction market,as the crisis worsened, ben's
business dried up, so he took
as the crisis worsened, ben's business dried up, so he took what jobs he could find, even if
business dried up, so he took what jobs he could find, even ifthey kept him on the road for
long stretches of time.
they kept him on the road for long stretches of time. rebekah took out student loans
and enrolled in community
college and retrained for a new
career.
they sacrificed for each other.
and slowly it paid off.
they bought their first home,
they had a second son, henry.
rebekah got a better job and
then a raise.
ben's back in construction and
home for dinner every night.
it is amazing, rebekah wrote,
what you can bounce back from
when you have to.
we are a strong, tight-knit
family who has made it through
some very, very hard times.
we are a strong tight-knit
family who has made it through
some very, very hard times.
america, rebekah and ben's story
some very, very hard times. america, rebekah and ben's storyis our story.
they represent the millions who
is our story. they represent the millions who worked hard and scrimped and
sacrificed and retooled.
you are the reason that i ran
for this office.
you are the people i was
thinking of six years ago today
in the darkest month of the
crisis when i stood on the steps
in the darkest month of the crisis when i stood on the stepsof this capitol and promised we
would rebuild our economy on a
of this capitol and promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation.
and it has been your resilience,
new foundation. and it has been your resilience,your effort that has made it
possible for our country to
your effort that has made it possible for our country to emerge stronger.
we believed we could reverse the
emerge stronger. we believed we could reverse thetide of outsourcing and draw new
we believed we could reverse thetide of outsourcing and draw newjobs to our shores, and over the
tide of outsourcing and draw newjobs to our shores, and over thepast five years our businesses
jobs to our shores, and over thepast five years our businesses have created more than 11
past five years our businesses have created more than 11 million new jobs.
[ applause ]
we believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet, and today
america is number one in oil and
protect our planet, and today america is number one in oil andgas, america is number one in
wind power.
gas, america is number one in wind power. every three weeks we bring
online as much solar power as we
every three weeks we bring online as much solar power as wedid in all of 2008, and thanks
to lower gas prices and higher
did in all of 2008, and thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards, the typical
family this year should save
about $750 at the pump.
we believe we could prepare our
kids for a more competitive
world.
and today our younger students
have earned the highest math and
and today our younger students have earned the highest math andreading scores on record.
our high school graduation rate
reading scores on record. our high school graduation rate has hit an all-time high.
more americans finish college
than ever before.
we believe that sensible
regulations could prevent
another crisis, shield families
from ruin and encourage fair
competition.
today we have new tools to stop
taxpayer-funded bailouts and a
new consumer watchdog to protect
taxpayer-funded bailouts and a new consumer watchdog to protectus from predatory lending and
abusive credit card practices,
us from predatory lending and abusive credit card practices, and in the past year alone,
about 10 million uninsured
americans finally gained the
security of health coverage.
[ applause ]
at every step we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitio
ambitious, that we would crush
jobs and explode deficits.
instead we've seen the fastest
economic growth in over a
decade.
our deficit's cut by two-thirds.
decade. our deficit's cut by two-thirds.a stock market that has doubled
and health care inflation at its
a stock market that has doubled and health care inflation at itslowest rate in 50 years.
that's good news, people.
[ applause ] so the verdict is clear. middle-class economics works.
expanding opportunity works.
and these policies will continue
expanding opportunity works. and these policies will continueto work as long as politics
don't get in the way.
to work as long as politics don't get in the way. we can't slow down businesses or
don't get in the way. we can't slow down businesses orput our economy at risk with
government shutdowns or fiscal
put our economy at risk with government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns.
we can't put the security of
families at risk by taking away
their health insurance or
unraveling the new rules on wall
their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on wallstreet or refighting past
battles on immigration when we
street or refighting past battles on immigration when we got to fix a broken system.
and if a bill comes to my desk
that tries to do any of these
things, i will veto it.
it will have earned my veto.
today, thanks to a growing
economy, the recovery is
touching more and more lives.
wages are finally starting to
rise again.
we know that more small business
rise again. we know that more small businessowners plan to raise their
employees' pay than at any time
owners plan to raise their employees' pay than at any time since 2007.
but here's the thing.
those of us here tonight, we
need to set our sights higher
than just making sure government
need to set our sights higher than just making sure governmentdoesn't screw things up.
the government doesn't halt the
doesn't screw things up. the government doesn't halt the progress we're making.
we need to do more than just do
no harm.
tonight, together, let's do more
no harm. tonight, together, let's do moreto restore the link between hard
tonight, together, let's do moreto restore the link between hardwork and growing opportunity for
to restore the link between hardwork and growing opportunity forevery american.
[ applause ]
because families like rebekah's still need our help. she and ben are working as hard
as ever, but they've had to
forgo vacations and a new car so
as ever, but they've had to forgo vacations and a new car sothat they can pay off student
loans and save for retirement.
that they can pay off student loans and save for retirement. friday night pizza, that's a big
loans and save for retirement. friday night pizza, that's a bigsplurge.
basic child care for jack and
splurge. basic child care for jack and henry cost more than their
mortgage and almost as much as a
henry cost more than their mortgage and almost as much as ayear at the university of
minnesota.
year at the university of minnesota. like millions of hardworking
americans, rebekah isn't asking
for a handout, but she is asking
americans, rebekah isn't asking for a handout, but she is askingthat we look for more ways to
help families get ahead.
that we look for more ways to help families get ahead. and in fact, at every moment of
economic change throughout our
history, this country has taken
bold action to adapt to new
circumstances and to make sure
everyone gets a fair shot.
we set up worker protections,
social security, medicare,
medicaid, to protect ourself
from the harshest adversity.
we gave our citizens schools and
from the harshest adversity. we gave our citizens schools andcolleges, infrastructure and the
we gave our citizens schools andcolleges, infrastructure and theinternet, tools they needed to
colleges, infrastructure and theinternet, tools they needed to go as far as their efforts and
internet, tools they needed to go as far as their efforts and their dreams will take them.
that's what middle class
economics is.
the idea that this country does
best when everyone get their
fair shot.
everyone does their fair share.
everyone plays by the same set
of rules.
we don't just want everyone to
share in america's success.
we want everyone to contribute
to our success.
so what does middle class
economics require in our time?
first, middle class economics
means helping working families
feel more secure in a world of
constant change.
it means helping folks afford
child care, college, health
care, a home, retirement, and my
child care, college, health care, a home, retirement, and mybudget will address each of
these issues, lowering the taxes
budget will address each of these issues, lowering the taxesof working families and putting
thousands of dollars back into
of working families and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year.
here's one example.
during world war ii when men
like my grandfather went off to
war, having women like my
grandmother in the workforce was
war, having women like my grandmother in the workforce wasa national security priority.
so this country provided
a national security priority. so this country provided universal child care.
in today's economy, when having
both parents in the workforce is
in today's economy, when having both parents in the workforce isan economic necessity for many
families, we need affordable,
an economic necessity for many families, we need affordable, high quality child care now more
families, we need affordable, high quality child care now morethan ever.
it's not a nice to have.
than ever. it's not a nice to have. it's a must have.
so it's time we stopped treating
it's a must have. so it's time we stopped treatingchild care as a side issue or as
so it's time we stopped treatingchild care as a side issue or asa women's issue and treat it
child care as a side issue or asa women's issue and treat it like the national economic
a women's issue and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of
us.
and that's why my plan will make
us. and that's why my plan will makequality child care more
available and more affordable
quality child care more available and more affordable for every middle class and low
income family with young
children in america, by creating
income family with young children in america, by creatingmore slots and a new tax cut of
up to $3,000 per child per year.
more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child per year.here's another example.
today we are the only advanced
here's another example. today we are the only advanced country on earth that doesn't
guarantee paid sick leave or
paid maternity leave to our
workers.
43 million workers have no paid
sick leave.
43 million.
think about that.
and that forces too many parents
think about that. and that forces too many parentsto make the gut wrenching choice
and that forces too many parentsto make the gut wrenching choicebetween a paycheck and a sick
to make the gut wrenching choicebetween a paycheck and a sick kid at home.
between a paycheck and a sick kid at home. so i'll be taking new action to
help states adopt paid leave
laws of their own and since paid
help states adopt paid leave laws of their own and since paidsick leave where it was on the
ballot last november, let's put
sick leave where it was on the ballot last november, let's put it to a vote right here in
washington.
send me a bill that gives every
worker in america the
opportunity to earn seven days
of paid sick leave.
it's the right thing to do.
it's the right thing to do.
of course, nothing helps
families make ends meet like
higher wages.
that's why this congress still
needs to pass a law that makes
sure a woman is paid the same as
needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same asa man for doing the same work.
it's 2015.
a man for doing the same work. it's 2015. it's time.
we still need to make sure
employees get the overtime
they've earned.
and everyone in this congress
who still refuses to raise the
minimum wage, i say this, if you
who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, i say this, if youtruly believe you can work full
time and support a family on
truly believe you can work full time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, try
it.
it's not.
vote to give millions of the
hardest working people in
america a raise.
these ideas won't make everybody
america a raise. these ideas won't make everybodyrich, won't relieve every
hardship.
rich, won't relieve every hardship. that's not the job of
government.
to give working families a fair
shot, we still need more
employers to see beyond next
quarter's earnings and recognize
employers to see beyond next quarter's earnings and recognizethat investing in the work force
quarter's earnings and recognizethat investing in the work forceis in their company's long-term
that investing in the work forceis in their company's long-term interests.
is in their company's long-term interests. we still need laws that
strengthen rather than weaken
unions and give american workers
strengthen rather than weaken unions and give american workersa voice.
but you know -- things like
a voice. but you know -- things like child care and sick leave and
equal pay, things like lower
mortgage premiums and a higher
minimum wage, these ideas will
make a meaningful difference in
the lives of millions of
families.
that's a fact.
and that's what all of us,
republicans and democrats alike
were sent here to do.
now second, to make sure folks
keep earning higher wages down
the road, we have to do more to
help americans upgrade their
skills.
now, america thrived in the 20th
skills. now, america thrived in the 20thcentury because we made high
school free.
century because we made high school free. sent a generation of gis to
college, trained the best
workforce in the world.
we were ahead of the curve.
but other countries caught on,
and in a 21st century economy
that rewards knowledge like
never before, we need to up our
game.
we need to do more.
by the end of this decade, two
and three job openings will
require some higher education,
two in three.
and yet we still live in a
country where too many bright,
striving americans are priced
out of the education they need.
it's not fair to them and it's
sure not smart for our future.
that's why i'm sending this
congress a bold new plan to
lower the cost of community
college.
to zero.
[ applause ]
keep in mind, 40% of our collegestudents choose community college.
students choose community college. some are young and starting out,
college. some are young and starting out,some are older and looking for a
some are young and starting out,some are older and looking for abetter job, some are veterans
some are older and looking for abetter job, some are veterans and single parents trying to
better job, some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job
market.
whoever you are, this plan is
your chance to graduate ready
for the new economy without a
load of debt.
understand, you've got the earn
it.
you got the keep your grades up
and graduate on time.
tennessee, a state with
republican leadership, and
chicago, a city with democratic
leadership, are showing that
free community college is
possible.
i want to spread that idea all
across america.
two years of college becomes as
free and universal in america as
two years of college becomes as free and universal in america ashigh school is today.
let's stay ahead of the curve.
high school is today. let's stay ahead of the curve. and i want to work with this
congress to make sure those
already burdened with student
loans can reduce their payments
so that student debt doesn't
derail anyone's dreams.
thanks to vice president biden's
derail anyone's dreams. thanks to vice president biden'sgreat work to upgrading our
training systems wur training
great work to upgrading our training systems wur training workers to fill high paying jobs
training systems wur training workers to fill high paying jobslike coding and nursing and
robotics.
like coding and nursing and robotics. tonight i'm also asking more
businesses to follow the lead of
tonight i'm also asking more businesses to follow the lead ofcompanies like cvs and u.p.s.
and offer more educational
companies like cvs and u.p.s. and offer more educational benefits and paid
apprenticeships.
opportunities to give workers
the chance to do higher paying
jobs even if they don't have a
higher education.
as a new generation of veterans
comes home, we owe them every
opportunity to live the american
comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the americandream they help defend.
already we've made strides
dream they help defend. already we've made strides towards ensuring that every
veteran has access to the
highest quality care.
we're slashing the backlogs that
highest quality care. we're slashing the backlogs thathas too many veterans waiting
the years to get the benefits
has too many veterans waiting the years to get the benefits they need and we're making it
easier for vets to translate the
they need and we're making it easier for vets to translate theexperience into civilian jobs.
and joining force, the national
experience into civilian jobs. and joining force, the national campaign launched by michelle
and jill biden, thank you,
michelle, thank you, jill, have
helped nearly 700,000 veterans
and military spouses get a new
job.
[ applause ]
so every ceo in america, let me repeat, if you want somebody who's going to get the job done
and done right, hire a veteran.
[ applause ]
finally, as we better train our workers, we need the new economyto keep churning out highways to
workers, we need the new economyto keep churning out highways tojobs for our workers to fill.
to keep churning out highways tojobs for our workers to fill. since 2010 america has put more
jobs for our workers to fill. since 2010 america has put more people back to work than europe,
since 2010 america has put more people back to work than europe,japan and all advanced economies
people back to work than europe,japan and all advanced economiescombined.
japan and all advanced economiescombined. our manufacturers have added
combined. our manufacturers have added almost 800,000 new jobs.
some of our bedrock sectors,
like our auto industry, are
booming, but there are also
millions of americans that work
in jobs that didn't even exist
10, 20 years ago, jobs at
companies like google, ebay and
tesla.
so no one knows for certain
which industries will generate
the jobs of the future, but we
do know we want them here in
america.
we know that.
[ applause ]
and that's why the third part ofmiddle class economics is all about building the most
middle class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere, a
place where businesses want to
locate and hire.
21st century businesses need
21st century infrastructure,
modern ports and stronger
bridges, faster trains and the
fastest internet.
democrats and republicans used
to agree on this.
so let's set our sights higher
than a single oil pipeline.
let's pass a bipartisan
infrastructure plan that could
create more than 30 times a year
infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times a yearand make us stronger for decades
create more than 30 times a yearand make us stronger for decadesto come.
and make us stronger for decadesto come. let's do it.
to come. let's do it. get it done.
21st century businesses
including small businesses need
to sell more american products
overseas.
today our businesses export more
overseas. today our businesses export morethan ever and exporters tend to
pay their workers higher wages.
than ever and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. but as we speak, china wants to
write the rules for the world's
fastest growing region.
that would put our workers and
our businesses at a
disadvantage.
why would we let that happen?
we should write those rules.
we should level the playing
field.
that's why i'm asking both
parties to give me trade
promotion authority to protect
american workers with strong new
promotion authority to protect american workers with strong newtrade deals from asia to europe
that aren't just free but are
trade deals from asia to europe that aren't just free but are also fair.
it's the right thing to do.
look, i'm the first one to
admit, i'm the first one to
admit that past trade dealslive
hype and that's why we go after
countries that break the rules
at our expense, but 95% of the
world's customers live outside
our borders.
we can't close ourselves off
from those opportunities.
more than half of manufacturing
executives have said they're
actively looking to bring jobs
back from china.
so let's give them one more
reason to get it done.
21th century businesses will
rely on american science and
technology, research and
development.
i want the country that
eliminated polio and map the
human genome to deliver one that
eliminated polio and map the human genome to deliver one thatdelivers the right treatment at
the right time.
delivers the right treatment at the right time. in some patients with cystic
fibrosis this approach has
reversed a disease once thought
unstoppable.
so tonight i'm launching a new
precision medicine initiative to
so tonight i'm launching a new precision medicine initiative tobring us closer to curing
diseases like cancer and
bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes and to give all of us
access to the personalized
information we need to keep
ourselves and our families
healthier.
we can do this.
[ applause ]
i intend to protect the free andopen internet. extend its reach to every
open internet. extend its reach to every classroom and every community.
and help folks build the fastest
classroom and every community. and help folks build the fastestnetworks so that the next
generation of digital innovators
networks so that the next generation of digital innovatorsand entrepreneurs have the
platform to keep reshaping our
and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world.
i want americans to win the race
world. i want americans to win the racefor the kind of discoveries that
i want americans to win the racefor the kind of discoveries thatunleash new jobs converting
for the kind of discoveries thatunleash new jobs converting sunlight into liquid fuel,
unleash new jobs converting sunlight into liquid fuel, creating prosthetics so the
veteran who gave his arms for
his country can play catch with
his kids again.
pushing out into the solar
system, not just to visit, but
to stay.
last month we launched a new
spacecraft as part of a
re-energized space system that
will send an astronaut to mars
and to prepare us for those
missions scott kelly will begin
a year-long stay in space.
so good luck, captain.
make sure to instagram it.
i'm proud of you.
[ applause ]
now, the truth is, when it comesto issues like infrastructure and basic research, i know
to issues like infrastructure and basic research, i know there's bipartisan support in
this chamber.
members of both parties have
told me so.
where we too often run on to the
told me so. where we too often run on to therocks is how to pay for these
investments.
rocks is how to pay for these investments. as americans, we don't mind
paying our fair share of taxes
as long as everybody else does,
too.
but for far too long, lobbyists
have rigged the tax code with
loopholes that let some
corporations pay nothing while
others pay full freight.
they've riddled it with
giveaways that the superrich
don't need while denying a break
giveaways that the superrich don't need while denying a breakto middle class families who do.
don't need while denying a breakto middle class families who do.this year we have an opportunity
to middle class families who do.this year we have an opportunityto change that.
this year we have an opportunityto change that. let's close loopholes so we stop
to change that. let's close loopholes so we stoprewarding companies that keep
profits abroad and reward those
rewarding companies that keep profits abroad and reward those that invest here in america.
[ applause ]
let's use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and to make it more attractive for
companies to bring jobs home.
let's simplify the system and
let a small business owner file
based on her actual bank
statement instead of the number
of accountants she can afford.
and let's close the loopholes
that lead to inequality by
allowing the top 1% to avoid
paying taxes on their
accumulated wealth.
we can use that money to help
more families pay for child care
we can use that money to help more families pay for child careand send their kids to college.
we need a tax code that truly
and send their kids to college. we need a tax code that truly helps working americans trying
to get a leg up in the new
economy, and we can achieve that
to get a leg up in the new economy, and we can achieve thattogether.
helping hard working families
together. helping hard working families make ends meet.
giving them the tools they need
for good paying jobs in this
economy.
maintaining the conditions of
growth and competitiveness.
this is where america needs to
go.
i believe it's where the
american people want to go.
it will make our economy
stronger a year from now, 15
years from now and deep into the
stronger a year from now, 15 years from now and deep into thecentury ahead.
of course, if there's one thing
century ahead. of course, if there's one thing this new century has taught us
is that we cannot separate our
work here at home from
challenges beyond our shores.
my first duty as commander in
chief is to defend the united
states of america.
in doing so, the question is
not -- in doing so the question
is not whether america leads in
the world but how.
when we make rash decisions
reacting to the headlines
instead of using our heads, when
reacting to the headlines instead of using our heads, whenthe first response to a
challenge is to send in our
the first response to a challenge is to send in our military, then we risk getting
drawn into unnecessary conflicts
military, then we risk getting drawn into unnecessary conflictsand neglect the broader strategy
drawn into unnecessary conflictsand neglect the broader strategywe need for a safer, more
and neglect the broader strategywe need for a safer, more prosperous world.
we need for a safer, more prosperous world. that's what our enemies want us
to do.
i believe in a smarter kind of
american leadership.
we lead best when we combine
military power with strong
diplomacy.
when we leverage our power with
coalition building.
when we don't let our fears
blind us to the opportunity that
when we don't let our fears blind us to the opportunity thatthis new century possess.
that's exactly what we're doing
this new century possess. that's exactly what we're doing right now, and around the globe
it is making a difference.
first, we stand united with
people around the world who have
first, we stand united with people around the world who havebeen targeted by terrorists from
people around the world who havebeen targeted by terrorists froma school in pakistan to the
been targeted by terrorists froma school in pakistan to the streets in paris.
a school in pakistan to the streets in paris. we will continue to hunt down
terrorists and dismantle their
network and we reserve the right
terrorists and dismantle their network and we reserve the rightto act unilaterally as we've
done relentlessness since i took
to act unilaterally as we've done relentlessness since i tookoffice to take out terrorists.
[ applause ]
at the same time we've learned some costly lessons over the last 13 years.
instead of americans patrolling
the valleys of afghanistan, we
trained their security forces
who have now taken the lead.
and we've honored our troops'
sacrifice by supporting that
country's first democratic
transition.
instead of sending large ground
forces overseas, we're
partnering with nations from
south asia to north africa to
deny safe haven to terrorists
who threaten america.
in iraq, in syria, american
leadership including our
military power is stopping
isil's advance.
instead of getting dragged into
another ground war in the middle
instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the middleeast, we are leading a broad
coalition including arab nations
east, we are leading a broad coalition including arab nationsto degrade and ultimately
destroy the terrorist group.
to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group. we're also supporting a moderate
destroy the terrorist group. we're also supporting a moderateopposition in syria that can
help us in this effort and
opposition in syria that can help us in this effort and assisting people everywhere who
stand up to the bankrupt
ideology of violent extremism.
this effort will take time.
it will require focus.
but we will succeed.
and tonight i call on this
congress to show the world that
we are united in this mission by
congress to show the world that we are united in this mission bypassing a resolution to
authorize the use of force
passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against isil.
we need that authority.
second, we're demonstrating a
power of american strength and
diplomacy.
we're upholding the principle
that bigger nags can't bully the
we're upholding the principle that bigger nags can't bully thesmall by opposing russian
aggression and supporting
small by opposing russian aggression and supporting ukraine's democracy and
reassuring our nato allies.
[ applause ]
last year, as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies, as we
were reinforcing our presence,
with the front line states, mr.
putin's aggression, it was
suggested, was a masterful
display of strategy and
strength.
that's what i heard from some
folks.
well, today it is america that
stands strong and united with
our allies while russia is
isolated with its economy in
tatters.
that's how america leads, not
with bluster but with
persistent, steady resolve.
[ applause ] in cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its
expiration date.
when what you're doing doesn't
work for 50 years, it's time to
try something new.
and our shift in cuba policy has
try something new. and our shift in cuba policy hasthe potential to end a legacy of
and our shift in cuba policy hasthe potential to end a legacy ofmistrust in our hemisphere, it
the potential to end a legacy ofmistrust in our hemisphere, it removes a phony excuse for
mistrust in our hemisphere, it removes a phony excuse for restrictions in cuba, stands up
for democratic values and
extends the hand of friendship
to the cuban people.
and this year congress should
begin the work of ending the
embargo.
[ applause ]
as his holiness pope francis hassaid, diplomacy is the work of small steps.
said, diplomacy is the work of small steps. these small steps have added up
to new hope for the future in
cuba.
and after years in prison, we
are overjoyed that alan gross i
respect to iran.
where for the first time in a
decade, we've halted the
progress of its nuclear program
and reduced its stockpile of
nuclear material.
between now and this spring, we
have a chance to negotiate a
comprehensive agreement that
prevents a nuclear armed iran,
secures america and our allies
including israel while avoiding
yet another middle east
conflict.
there are no guarantees that
negotiations will succeed.
and i keep all options on the
table to prevent a nuclear iran.
and i keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear iran.but new sanctions passed by this
table to prevent a nuclear iran.but new sanctions passed by thiscongress at this moment in time
but new sanctions passed by thiscongress at this moment in time will all but guarantee the
congress at this moment in time will all but guarantee the diplomacy fails.
alienating america from its
allies.
making it harder to maintain
sanctions.
and ensuring that iran starts up
sanctions. and ensuring that iran starts upits nuclear program again.
it doesn't make sense.
its nuclear program again. it doesn't make sense. that's why i will veto any new
sanctions bill that threatens to
that's why i will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens toundo this process.
the american people expect us
undo this process. the american people expect us only to go to war as a last
resort.
and i intend to stay true to
that wisdom.
third, we're looking beyond the
issues that have consumed nus
the past to shape the coming
century.
no foreign nation, no hacker
should be able to shut down our
network, steal our trade secrets
should be able to shut down our network, steal our trade secretsor invade the privacy of
american families, especially
or invade the privacy of american families, especially our kids.
[ applause ]
so we're making sure our government integrates intelligence to combat cyber
threats just as we've done to
combat terrorism.
tonight i urge this congress to
finally pass the legislation we
need to better meet the evolving
finally pass the legislation we need to better meet the evolvingthreat of cyber attacks, combat
identity theft and protect our
threat of cyber attacks, combat identity theft and protect our children's information.
that should be a bipartisan
effort.
if we don't act, we leave our
nation and our economy
vulnerable.
if we do, we can continue to
protect the technologies that
have unleashed untold
opportunities for people around
the globe.
and in africa, our troops, our
scientists, doctors, nurse,
health care workers are rolling
back ebola, saving countless
lives and stopping the spread of
back ebola, saving countless lives and stopping the spread ofdisease.
i could not be prouder of them,
disease. i could not be prouder of them, and i thank this congress for
your bipartisan support of their
and i thank this congress for your bipartisan support of theirefforts.
but the job is not yet done.
efforts. but the job is not yet done. the world needs to use this
lesson to build a more effective
the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effectiveglobal effort to prevent the
future pandemics and eradicate
global effort to prevent the future pandemics and eradicate extreme poverty.
in the asia pacific we are
modernizing alliances while
making sure other nations play
by the rules in how they trade,
how they resolve maritime
dispute, how they participate in
how they resolve maritime dispute, how they participate inmeeting common international
challenges like nonproliferation
meeting common international challenges like nonproliferationand disaster relief.
and no challenge, no challenge
and disaster relief. and no challenge, no challenge poses a greater threat to future
and no challenge, no challenge poses a greater threat to futuregenerations than climate change.
[ applause ]
2014 was the planet's warmest year on record. now, one year doesn't make a
trend, but this does.
14 of the 15 warmest years on
record have all fallen in the
first 15 years of this century.
i've heard some folks try to
dodge the evidence by saying
they're not scientists, that we
don't have enough information to
they're not scientists, that we don't have enough information toact.
well, i'm not a scientist
act. well, i'm not a scientist either, but you know what?
i know a lot of really good
scientists at nasa and at noaa
and in our major universities
and the best scientists in the
world are all telling us that
our activities are changing the
climate and if we don't act
forcefully, we'll don't see
rising oceans, longer, hotter
heat waves, dangerous droughts
and floods and massive
disruption that can trigger
greater migration and conflict
and hunger around the globe.
the pentagon says that climate
change poses immediate risks to
our national security.
we should act like it.
[ applause ]
and that's why -- that's why
over the past six years we've
done more than ever to combat
climate change from the way we
produce energy to the way we use
climate change from the way we produce energy to the way we useit.
that's why we've set aside more
it. that's why we've set aside more public lands and waters than any
that's why we've set aside more public lands and waters than anyadministration in history.
that's why i will not let this
administration in history. that's why i will not let this congress endanger the health of
our children by turning back the
congress endanger the health of our children by turning back theclock on our efforts.
i am determined to make sure
clock on our efforts. i am determined to make sure that american leadership drives
international action.
in beijing we made an historic
announcement, the use will
double the pace at which we
limit carbon pollution and
because the world's two largest
economies came together, other
nations are now stepping up and
offering hope that this year the
nations are now stepping up and offering hope that this year theworld will finally reach an
agreement to protect the one
world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we've got.
and there's one last pillar of
our leadership.
and that's the example of our
values.
as americans we respect human
dignity even when we're
threatened, which is why i have
prohibited torture and worked to
threatened, which is why i have prohibited torture and worked tomake sure our use of new
technology like drones is
make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained.
it's why we speak out against
the deplorable anti-semitism
that's resurfaced in parts of
the world, it's why we continue
to reject offensive stereotypes
of muslims the majority of whom
share our commitment to peace.
that's why we defend free speech
share our commitment to peace. that's why we defend free speechand advocate for political
prisoners and condemn the
and advocate for political prisoners and condemn the persecution of women or
religious minorities or people
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual
or transgender, we do these
things not only because they're
the right things to do but
because ultimately they will
make us safer.
[ applause ]
as americans we have a profound commitment to justice. so it makes no sense to spend $3
commitment to justice. so it makes no sense to spend $3million per prisoner to keep
open a prison that the world
million per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to
recruit.
since i've been president we've
worked to cut the population of
gitmo in half.
now it is time to finish the
job.
i will not relent in my
determination to shut it down.
it is not who we are.
it's time to close gitmo.
as americans, we cherish our
civil liberties.
and we need to uphold that
commitment if we want maximum
cooperation from other countries
commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countriesand industry in our fight
against terrorist networks.
and industry in our fight against terrorist networks. so while some have moved on from
against terrorist networks. so while some have moved on fromthe debates over our
surveillance programs, i have
the debates over our surveillance programs, i have not.
as promised, our intelligence
agencies have worked hard with
the recommendations of privacy
advocates to create transparency
the recommendations of privacy advocates to create transparencyand provide more safeguard
against potential abuse.
and provide more safeguard against potential abuse. next month we'll issue a report
on how we're keeping our promise
next month we'll issue a report on how we're keeping our promiseon how we're keeping our country
on how we're keeping our promiseon how we're keeping our countrysafe while strengthening.
on how we're keeping our countrysafe while strengthening. looking to the future instead of
safe while strengthening. looking to the future instead ofthe past.
making sure we match our power
the past. making sure we match our power with diplomacy and use force
wisely.
building coalitions to meet new
challenges and opportunities.
leading always with the example
of our values.
that's what makes us
exceptional.
that's what keeps us strong.
that's why we have to keep
striving to hold ourselves to
the highest of standards, our
own.
you know, just over a decade
ago, i gave a speech in boston
where i said there wasn't a
liberal america or conservative
america, a black america or a
white america, but a united
states of america.
i said this because i had seen
it in my own life.
in a nation that gave someone
like me a chance.
because i grew up in hawaii, the
like me a chance. because i grew up in hawaii, themelting pot of races and
customs, because i made illinois
melting pot of races and customs, because i made illinoismy home, the state of small
towns, rich farmland, one of the
my home, the state of small towns, rich farmland, one of theworld's great cities, a
microcosm of the country where
world's great cities, a microcosm of the country where democrats and republicans and
independents, good people of
every ethnicity and every faith
share certain bedrock values.
over the past six years the
pundits have pointed outside
more than once that my
presidency hasn't delivered on
this vision.
how ironic, they say, that our
politics seems more divided than
how ironic, they say, that our politics seems more divided thanever.
it's held up as proof not just
ever. it's held up as proof not just of my own flaws, of which there
are many, but also as proof that
of my own flaws, of which there are many, but also as proof thatdivision itself is misguided.
division itself is misguided,
division itself is misguided. division itself is misguided, naive, that there are too many
people in this town who actually
naive, that there are too many people in this town who actuallybenefit from partisanship and
gridlock for us to ever do
benefit from partisanship and gridlock for us to ever do anything about it.
i know how tempting such
cynicism may be, but i still
think the cynics are wrong.
i still believe that we are one
people.
i still believe that together we
people. i still believe that together wecan do great things, even when
the odds are long.
can do great things, even when the odds are long. i believe this because over and
over in my six years in office i
i believe this because over and over in my six years in office ihave seen america at its best.
i've seen the hopeful faces of
have seen america at its best. i've seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from new york to
i've seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from new york tocalifornia and our newest
officers at west point,
california and our newest officers at west point, annapolis, colorado springs, new
officers at west point, annapolis, colorado springs, newlondon.
i've mourned with grieving
london. i've mourned with grieving families in tucson and new town
and boston and west texas and
west virginia.
i've watched americans beat back
west virginia. i've watched americans beat backadversity from the gulf coast to
i've watched americans beat backadversity from the gulf coast tothe great plains, from midwest
adversity from the gulf coast tothe great plains, from midwest assembly lines to the
the great plains, from midwest assembly lines to the mid-atlantic seaboard.
i've seen something like gay
marriage go from a wedge issue
used to drive us apart to a
story of freedom across our
country, a civil right now legal
story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legalin states that seven in ten
americans call home.
in states that seven in ten americans call home. [ applause ]
so i know the good and
optimistic and big-hearted
generosity of the american
people who every day live the
idea that we are our brother's
keeper and our sister's keeper.
and i know they expect those of
us who serve here to set a
better example.
so the question for those of us
here tonight is how we, all of
us, can better reflect america's
here tonight is how we, all of us, can better reflect america'shopes.
i've served in congress with
hopes. i've served in congress with many of you.
i know many of you well.
there are a lot of good people
here on both sides of the aisle,
there are a lot of good people here on both sides of the aisle,and many of you have told me
that this isn't what you signed
and many of you have told me that this isn't what you signed up for, arguing past each other
on cable shows, the constant
fund-raising, always looking
over your shoulder at how
debates will react to every
decision.
imagine if we broke out of these
decision. imagine if we broke out of thesetired old patterns.
imagine if we did something
tired old patterns. imagine if we did something different.
understand a better politics
isn't one where democrats
abandon their agenda or
republicans simply embrace mine.
abandon their agenda or republicans simply embrace mine.a better politics is one where
we appeal to each other's basic
a better politics is one where we appeal to each other's basic decency instead of our bases.
a better politics is one where
we debate without demonizing
each other, where we talk issues
we debate without demonizing each other, where we talk issuesand values and principles and
facts rather than gotcha moments
and values and principles and facts rather than gotcha momentsor trivial gaffes or fake
controversies that have nothing
or trivial gaffes or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people's daily lives.
controversies that have nothing to do with people's daily lives.a politic -- a better politics
is one where we spend less time
a politic -- a better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads
that pull us into the gutter and
drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter andspend more time lifting young
people up with a sense of
spend more time lifting young people up with a sense of purpose and possibility, asking
them to join in the great
mission of building america.
if we're going to have
arguments, let's have arguments,
if we're going to have arguments, let's have arguments,but let's make them debates
worthy of this body and worthy
but let's make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country.
we still may not agree on a
woman's right to choose, but
surely we can agree it's a good
thing that teen pregnancies and
abortions are near all-time lows
thing that teen pregnancies and abortions are near all-time lowsand that every woman should have
abortions are near all-time lowsand that every woman should haveaccess to the health care that
and that every woman should haveaccess to the health care that she needs.
access to the health care that she needs. [ applause ]
yes, passions still fly on
immigration, but surely we can
all see something of ourselves
in the striving young student
and agree that no one benefits
from a hard working mom is
snatched from her child and that
from a hard working mom is snatched from her child and thatit's possible to shape a law
that upholds our tradition as a
it's possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of
immigrants.
i've talked to republicans and
democrats about that.
that's something that we can
share.
we may go at it in campaign
season, but surely we can agree
that the right to vote is
sacred, that it's being denied
to too many and that on this
50th anniversary of the great
march from selma to montgomery
and the passage of the voting
rights act we can come together,
and the passage of the voting rights act we can come together,democrats and republicans, to
make voting easier for every
democrats and republicans, to make voting easier for every single american.
[ applause ]
we may have different takes on
the events of ferguson and new
york, but surely we can
understand a father who fears
his son can't walk home without
being harassed, and surely we
can understand the wife who
won't rest until the police
officer she married walks
through the front door at the
end of his shift, and surely we
can agree that it's a good thing
end of his shift, and surely we can agree that it's a good thingthat for the first time in 40
years the crime rate and the
that for the first time in 40 years the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come
down together and use that as a
starting point for democrats and
down together and use that as a starting point for democrats andrepublicans, community leaders
and law enforcement, to reform
republicans, community leaders and law enforcement, to reform america's criminal justice
system so that it protects and
serves all of us.
[ applause ]
[ applause ]
that's a better politics. that's how we start rebuilding trust.
that's how we move this country
forward.
that's what the american people
want.
that's what they deserve.
i have no more campaigns to run.
that's what they deserve. i have no more campaigns to run.my only agenda -- i know,
because i won both of them.
my only agenda -- i know, because i won both of them. we -- my only agenda for the
next two years is the same as
the one i've had since the day i
next two years is the same as the one i've had since the day iswore an oath on the steps of
this capitol, to do what i
swore an oath on the steps of this capitol, to do what i believe is best for america.
if you share the broad vision i
outlined tonight, i ask you to
join me at the work at hand.
if you disagree with parts of
it, i hope you'll at least work
with me where you do agree, and
i commit to every republican
here tonight that i will not
only seek out your ideas i will
seek to work with you to make
this country stronger.
[ applause ]
[ applause ]
claar
because i want this chamber, i
want this city to reflected
truth that for all our blind
spots and shortcomings we are a
people with the strength and
generosity of spirit to bridge
divides, to unite in common
effort and to help our
neighbors, whether down the
street or on the other side of
the world, i want our actions to
street or on the other side of the world, i want our actions totell every child in every
neighborhood your life matters,
tell every child in every neighborhood your life matters, and we are committed to
improving your life chances, as
committed as we are to working
on behalf of our own kids.
i want future generations to
know that we're a people who see
i want future generations to know that we're a people who seeour differences as a great gift,
know that we're a people who seeour differences as a great gift,that we're a people who value
our differences as a great gift,that we're a people who value the dignity and worth of every
that we're a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen, manned and woman, young
the dignity and worth of every citizen, manned and woman, youngand old, black and white,
latino, asian, immigrant, native
and old, black and white, latino, asian, immigrant, nativeamericans, gay, straight,
americans with mental illness or
americans, gay, straight, americans with mental illness orphysical disability.
everybody matters.
physical disability. everybody matters. i want -- i want them to grow up
everybody matters. i want -- i want them to grow upin a country that shows the
world what we still know to be
in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true, that we are still more
than a collection of red states
and blue states, and we are the
united states of america.
[ applause ]
[ applause ]
f2 (aplausos) we have laid a new foundation.
the future is ours to write.
let's begin this new chapter
together and let's start the
work right now.
thank you.