Biden calls for sweeping new social programs in first joint address to Congress

WASHINGTON — On the eve of his 100th day in office, President Biden used his first address to Congress on Wednesday to tout the nation’s successful COVID response under his leadership and to urge Americans to back a massive expansion of the social safety net financed by taxes on the wealthy.

“A hundred days ago, America’s house was on fire,” Biden said, adding that “America is on the move again’' and painting a hopeful vision for the future. “We’re vaccinating the nation,” he said. “We’re creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. We’re delivering real results people can see and feel in their own lives.”

But speaking at the site of an armed insurrection, with the Capitol still fenced off to the public, Biden said the work of recovery was far from over. He described democracy as under threat because too many Americans no longer believe the government can work for them. To restore that faith, he called on the public to support fundamental changes to the way the United States supports families and workers, and urged a divided Congress to back his ambitious legislation to create high-paying, blue collar jobs, improve access to education, and protect the environment.

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