4/29/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 29, 2021

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Biden asks Congress for police reform bill by George Floyd death anniversary

Apr. 29, WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged Congress to pass a police reform bill in the name of George Floyd - a Black man killed under the knee of a white police officer - by the anniversary of his death on May 25.

​Biden, a Democrat, told a joint session of Congress the reform was broadly supported by the American people, and that he knew Republicans were "engaged in productive discussions" with Democrats.


"We need to work together to find a consensus," Biden said. "Let’s get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death."

The Democratic president drew a bipartisan standing ovation when he praised the police, saying "most men and women in uniform wear their badge and serve their communities honorably."

But he said Congress needs to restore trust in law enforcement, end racism in the criminal justice system, and give meaning to the words of Floyd's daughter, who Biden said told him "Daddy changed the world."

"After the conviction of George Floyd’s murderer, we can see how right she was – if we have the courage to act," he said. "Now is our opportunity to make real progress."     more

APRIL 28, 2021
President Biden Addresses Joint Session of Congress
President Biden delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress. He discussed his actions over the first 100 days of his presidency, highlighting the number of people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and the economic aid package. He also outlined his agenda for the rest of the year, including his plans for child care assistance, jobs, combating climate change, and other issues.
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by President Biden — Address to a Joint Session of Congress
APRIL 28, 2021


Madame Speaker.  
Madame Vice President. 
No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it’s about time. 
The First Lady. 
The Second Gentleman. 
Mr. Chief Justice. 
Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet – and distinguished guests. 
My fellow Americans. 
While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very different – a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in.  
Throughout our history, Presidents have come to this chamber to speak to the Congress, to the nation, and to the world. 

To declare war. To celebrate peace. To announce new plans and possibilities. 
Tonight, I come to talk about crisis — and opportunity.  
About rebuilding our nation — and revitalizing our democracy. 
And winning the future for America. 
As I stand here tonight — just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration. 
100 days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible, and inherited a nation in crisis. 
The worst pandemic in a century. 
The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. 
The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. 
Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the move again.  
Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength. 
Life can knock us down. 
But in America, we never stay down. 
In America, we always get up. 
And today, that’s what we’re doing: America is rising anew. 
Choosing hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness. 
After 100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for takeoff. 
We are working again. Dreaming again. Discovering again. Leading the world again. 
We have shown each other and the world: There is no quit in America. 
100 days ago, America’s house was on fire.  
We had to act...     more
Biden praised for delivering 'the most honest closing line of any presidential speech'

Apr. 29 - President Biden received praise Wednesday night for the closing line to his first address to a joint session of Congress in which he said, "Thank you for your patience."


​Robert A. George, a writer for Bloomberg Opinion, tweeted Biden's ending line, calling it "possibly most honest closing line any president has delivered in one of these addresses to Congress!"

"Thank you for your patience!" Possibly most honest closing line any president has delivered in one of these addresses to Congress!
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) April 29, 2021


Biden wrapped up his speech, which lasted a little more than an hour, by saying: "We're the United States of America. 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. God bless you all and may God protect our troops. Thank you for your patience."

Todd Zwillich, deputy D.C. bureau chief for VICE News, shared George's assessment, calling Biden's last sentence "probably the most honest line I’ve ever heard at a presidential address."

“Thank you for your patience” was probably the most honest line I’ve ever heard at a presidential address.
— Todd Zwillich (@toddzwillich) April 29, 2021

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“We have lots of other things to do,” Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Wednesday. 
Democrats struggle to get infrastructure plan off the ground

Apr. 29, WASHINGTON -- President Biden and congressional Democrats accomplished their primary checklist during their first 100 days in control of Washington. They enacted a historic pandemic rescue package, shot 200 million COVID-19 vaccines into Americans’ arms and confirmed a Cabinet.

But now the reality of how difficult the next steps of Biden’s presidency will be is crashing down on Democrats.

The infrastructure bill is struggling to get off the ground. Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) is not budging on his refusal to support progressive Democrats’ plan to scrap the filibuster and its 60-vote threshold.

With a 50-50 split Senate, Democrats are just one seat away from returning to minority status; in the House their majority is down to just a few seats.

“We have lots of other things to do,” Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday ahead of Biden’s speech to Congress. “I would remind you that people were skeptical when we took office — our majority — that we could get three things done at once: the Cabinet, impeachment, the [American Rescue Plan]. … We’re going to do many more things together.”

But Democratic control of the trifecta — the White House, House and Senate — doesn’t mean that any of this will be easy.     more