The latest on U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech.
Sung ho's story is the testament of everyone to live in freedom, Mr. Trump says.
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"That is what our country has always been about. That is what Americans have always stood for, always strived for, and always done."
"The young Americans who shed their blood and others who went down in the waters of the Pacific, freedom stands tall on one more monument - this one. This capitol is the monument to the American people."
"As long as we are proud of who we are, and what we are fighting for, there is nothing we cannot achieve."
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God bless America! says Mr. Trump ending his speech.
Mr. Trump's last guest for the night. G Sung Ho. Ho lost his limbs when a train ran over him. He was tortured by North Korean authorities after returning from a brief visit to China. He travelled several miles in crutches to freedom. He lives in Seoul now.
"Today, he has a new leg, but Sung Ho, I understand you still keep those old crutches as a reminder of how far you have come. Your great sacrifice is an inspiration to us all."
"North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could be a threat. I will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations that got us into this danger. We need to look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and our allies."
"Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation. I will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations."
"Last month, I also took an action endorsed unanimously by the U.S. Senate, just months before. I recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
In 2016, American taxpayers generously sent those same countries more than $20 billion in aid. That is why, tonight, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to help ensure American foreign assistance dollars always serve American interests and only go to friends of America, not enemies of America."
War on terror
"Perhaps some day in the future, there will be a magical moment when the countries of the world will get together to eliminate their nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, we are not there yet," Mr. Trump says.
"Last year I pledged with our allies to wipe out ISIS from the face of the Earth.... one year later, I am proud to report that the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated very close to 100% of the territory just recently held by these killers in Iraq and in Syria and in other locations as well."
"But there is much more work to be done. We will continue our fight until ISIS is defeated."
Drug overdoses
"In 2016, we lost 64,000 Americans to drug overdoses. 174 deaths per day. Seven per hour. We must get much tougher on drug dealers and pushers if we are going to succeed in stopping this scorch," Mr. Trump says.
"My administration is committed to fighting the drug epidemic and helping get treatment for those in need."
Mr. Trump introduces his next guest. Ryan, a 27-year-old police officer who adopted the child of a homeless woman. "They named their new daughter hope. Ryan and rebecca, you embody the goodness of our nation. Thank you."
Mr. Trump unveils his immigration reforms plans through four pillars.
The second pillar fully secures the border. That means building a great wall on the southern border, and it means hiring more heroes to keep our communities safe, he says.
"The third pillar and — ends the visa lottery, a programme that randomly plans out green cards without regard for skill, merit, for the safety of American people."
"The fourth and final pillar protects the nuclear family night ending chain migration."
"Under the current, broken system. A single immigrant can bring in unlimited numbers of distant relatives. Under our plan we focus on the immediate family by eliminating sponsorships — by limiting sponsorships to spouses and minor children."
For over 30 years, Washington has tried and failed to solve this problem. This Congress can be the one that finally makes it happen, Mr. Trump says.
Immigration reforms
"My duty, and the sacred duty of every elected official in this chamber, is to defend Americans, to protect their safety, their families, their communities, and their right to the American dream. Because Americans are dreamers, too."
"Over the next few weeks, the House and Senate will be voting on an immigration reform package. In recent months, my administration has met extensively with both Democrats and Republicans to craft a bipartisan approach to immigration reform."
"Based on these discussions, we presented Congress with a detailed proposal that should be supported by both parties as a fair compromise."
"Here are the four pillars of our plan. The first pillar of our framework generously offers a path to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants who were brought here by their parents at a young age. That covers almost three times more people than the previous administration covered."
"Under our plan, those who meet education and work requirements, and show good moral character, will be able to become a full citizens of the United States over a 12 year period."
Drugs and gang wars
"For decades, open borders have allowed drugs and gangs to pour into our most vulnerable communities. They have allowed millions of low-wage workers to compete for jobs and wages against of the poorest Americans. Most tragically, they have caused the loss of many innocent lives."
Mr. Trump introduces two families who lost their daughters.
"These two precious girls were murdered — brutally murdered while walking together in their hometown. Six members of the savage ms-13 gang have been charged with Kayla and Nisa's murders. Many of these gang members took advantage of glaring loopholes and our laws to enter the country as illegal, unaccompanied, alien minors. And wound up in Kayla and Nisa's high school."
"Tonight I am calling on Congress to finally close the deadly loopholes that have allowed MS-13 and other criminal gangs to break into our country. We have proposed new legislation that will fix our immigration laws and support our ICE and border patrol agents."
"We want every American to know the dignity of a hard day's work. We want every child to be safe in their home at night."
"We can lift our citizens from welfare to work, from dependence to independence, and from poverty to prosperity."
"As tax cuts create new jobs, let's invest in workforce development and let's invest in job training, which we need so badly."
"Let's open great vocational schools, so our future workers can learn a craft and realize their full potential."
"And let's support working families by supporting paid family leave."
Infrastructure
As we rebuild our industries, it is also time to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, Mr. Trump says in his address.
"We built the Empire State building in just one year. Isn't it a disgrace that it can now take 10 years just to get a minor permit approved for the building of a simple road? he asks.
Tonight, I am calling on Congress to produce a bill that generates at least $1.5 trillion for the new infrastructure investment that our country so desperately needs, he says.
"We will build gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways and waterways all across our land. And we will do it with American heart, American hands, and American grit."
International Trade
"America has also finally turned a page on decades of unfair trade deals that sacrificed our prosperity and shipped away our companies, our jobs, and/or wealth — and our wealth. Our nation has lost its wealth, but we are getting it back so fast. The era of economic surrender is over."
From now one, we expect trading relationships to be fair. And very importantly, reciprocal., Mr. Trump says.
"We will work to fix bad trade deals and negotiate new ones... We will protect American workers and American intellectual property, through strong enforcement of our trade rules."
Healthcare and drugs
"Exciting progress is happening every single day. To speed access to breakthroughs, cures, and affordable generic drugs, last year, the fda approved more new and generic drugs and medical devices than ever before in our country's history."
"We also believe that patients with terminal conditions, terminal illness, should have access to experimental treatment immediately that could essentially save their lives. People who are terminally ill should not have to go from country to country to seek a cure. I want to give them a chance right here at home. "
"One of my greatest priorities is to reduce the price of prescription drugs... wait and watch, " he says.
Industry
"We have ended the war on American energy. And we have ended the war on beautiful, clean coal," Mr. Trump says. "We are now very proudly an exporter of energy to the world."
In Detroit, I halted government mandates that crippled America's great, beautiful auto workers, so that we can get motor city revving its engines again. Many car companies are now building and expanding plans in the United States, something we haven't seen in decades. Chrysler is moving a major plant from Mexico to Michigan.... It is all coming back, Mr. Trump says.
Veteran welfare
"And we are serving our brave veterans, including giving our veterans choice in their healthcare decisions. Last year, the Congress passed, and I signed, the landmark VA Accountability Act." Mr. Trump says.
"We are hiring talented people who love our veterans as much as we do," he says.
"Since its passage, my Administration has already removed more than 1,500 VA employees who failed to give our veterans the care they deserve..."
"In our drive to make Washington accountable, we have eliminated more regulations in our first year than any administration in history of our country."
Mr. Trump congratulates Preston Sharp, a twelve-year-old who started placing the American flag on the graves of veterans.
"Preston's reverence for those who have served our Nation remind us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the national anthem," Mr. Trump says.
Americans love their country. And they deserve a Government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return. For the last year we have sought to restore the bonds of trust between our citizens and their Government, he says.
Employment
Since we passed tax cuts, roughly 3 million workers have already gotten tax cut bonuses -- many of them thousands of dollars per worker.
This is our new American moment. There has never been a better time to start living the American Dream. You can be anything, do anything and together we can achieve absolutely anything, he says.
"So to every citizen watching at home tonight -- no matter where you have been, or where you come from, this is your time."
"And we celebrate our police, our military, and our amazing veterans as heroes who deserve our total and unwavering support. "
"Together, we are rediscovering the American way."
Tax overhaul
Mr. Trump explains his tax overhaul.
"And just as I promised the American people from this podium 11 months ago, we enacted the biggest tax cuts and reforms in American history.
"To lower tax rates for hardworking Americans, we nearly doubled the standard deduction for everyone. Now, the first $24,000 earned by a married couple is completely tax-free. We also doubled the child tax credit.
"This April will be the last time you ever file under the old broken system -- and millions of Americans will have more take-home pay starting next month. Millions of American will have a lot of take home pay starting next month, he says.
"We slashed the business tax rate from 35 percent all the way down to 21 percent, so American companies can compete and win against anyone in the world," he says.
"Our massive tax cuts provide tremendous relief for the middle class and small business, to lower tax rates for hard-working Americans," the President says amidst loud cheer.
"No people are more determined than Americans... let's begin tonight by recognising the state of our union is strong because our people are strong," Mr. Trump says.
"Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground, and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people we were elected to serve," he says.
"Since the election, we have created 2.4 million new jobs, including 200,000 new jobs in manufacturing alone. After years of wage stagnation, we are finally seeing rising wages. Unemployment claims have hit a 45-year low, he says.
African American unemployment rate stands at lowest rate ever recorded.
"To make America great again"
President Donald Trump begins his address with his slogan "To make America great again".
"Thank you Ashlee Leppert for joining us tonight. Ashlee is an American hero who rescued many families during the hurricanes. It is an honor to have this female icon join us tonight as we hear," he says.
Last summer, David Dahlberg saved 62 children & staff from a wildfire. Thank you David for joining us at this year’s State of the Union. It is a true honour, he says.
We are incredibly grateful for the heroic efforts of the Capitol Police Officers, the Alexandria Police, and the doctors, nurses, and paramedics who saved his life, and the lives of many others in this room, he says.
First lady Melania Trump has traveled to Capitol Hill separately from her husband, President Donald Trump, ahead of his State of the Union speech.
That’s a change from last year, when the first couple made the trip up Pennsylvania Avenue in the same vehicle.
Mrs. Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, says the first lady went early, accompanying a group of guests for the speech whose stories amplify the president’s agenda. Grisham says the first lady and Karen Pence held an “intimate meet-and-greet” at the Capitol for the guests. A White House official says Mrs. Trump is expected to ride back to the White House with her husband after the speech.
Mrs. Trump hadn’t been seen in public with her husband since The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that in 2016, Trump’s lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about an affair she said she had with the future president. Daniels on Tuesday issued a statement denying the affair happened.
An hour before President Donald Trump’s big speech, the House chamber is beginning to fill with lawmakers eying prime seats and making small talk.
Republicans seem more intent on arriving early. The GOP side is filling steadily while Democrats are taking a bit more time getting to their posts. Indeed, about a dozen Democratic lawmakers have announced they won’t be attending the speech.
Early arrivals include Republican Reps. Mark Walker of North Carolina, Gregg Harper of Mississippi and Louie Gohmert of Texas, all intent on securing an aisle seat and a chance to greet the president when he enters the House chamber and makes his way to the podium.
Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III says it would be easy to dismiss the first year of President Donald Trump’s presidency as “chaos” marked by partisanship and politics.
But Kennedy says Trump has caused serious problems for the American people, including proposals that target Muslims, transgendered people and others.
Kennedy is delivering the Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union address.
In excerpts released early, Kennedy says the Trump administration “isn’t just targeting the laws that protect us they are targeting the very idea that we are all worthy of protection.”
In apparent reference to Trump, Kennedy says “bullies may land a punch” and leave a mark but have “never managed to match the strength and spirit of a people united in defense of their future.”
President Donald Trump is declaring a “new American moment” in his State of the Union address but his former campaign foe, Hillary Clinton, declared one first.
“This is our New American Moment,” Trump will say, touting the state of the economy, according to excerpts released by the White House. “There has never been a better time to start living the American dream.”
In a 2010 speech, then-Secretary of State Clinton told the Council on Foreign Relations that “a new American moment” was taking shape on the global stage, “a moment when our global leadership is essential, even if we must often lead in new ways.”
It’s hardly the first time Trump has appropriated a slogan. “Let’s Make America Great Again” was popularized in 1980 by Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign.
President Donald Trump will tell the American people that it is “our new American moment” and call on Republicans and Democrats to come together in his State of the Union speech.
That’s according to excerpts released Tuesday evening by the White House.
Trump will strike an optimistic and bipartisan tone, telling Americans he is “extending an open hand to work with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans, to protect our citizens, of every background, colour and creed. ”