Read the video transcript here
100 days of Joe Biden: According to tradition, the US President gives his first speech in front of both chambers of Congress.
Right at the beginning: A moment that has never happened in US history.
Joe Biden, US President:
“Thank you all. Mrs. Spokeswoman, Mrs. Vice-President. No President has ever said these words from this podium. No president ever, and it is time! "
He does not mention his predecessor Donald Trump by name in his speech.
Instead, there are swipes for his policy:
Joe Biden, US President
“I'm here tonight, one day before the 100th day of my term in office. A hundred days since I took the oath of office and raised my hand from 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 assault on our democracy since the civil war. Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation that America is on the rise again. "
Even if there are relatively few MPs in the room due to the Corona rules, the applause is energetic.
But Biden's speech does not tear many Republicans from their chairs.
Ted Cruz, a Republican Senator from Texas and a Trump supporter, seems bored with the speech.
A later tweet confirms this impression.
Biden uses his speech to promote the extensive and expensive reforms his government is trying to push through.
Rebuilding the country is expected to cost a total of ´4 trillion dollars.
The president wants to create more jobs and improve the ailing infrastructure.
In view of the abundance of challenges, Biden wants to spread a spirit of optimism:
Joe Biden, US President:
“After 100 days of rescue and renewal, America is ready to take off! We are working again, dreaming again, rediscovering and leading the world again. "
