Taxes, police reform, Russia ... What to remember from Biden's speech to Congress

“After 100 days, I can tell the country: America is moving forward again.

US President Joe Biden, who is celebrating his first 100 days of presidency this Thursday, delivered a speech full of optimism to the US Congress on Wednesday.

Calling on the richest to "pay their fair share", he presented his reform projects, in an apparent desire for social justice.

LIVE: President Biden delivers his first address to a Joint Session of Congress.

https://t.co/tuJTTxgdAX

- The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 29, 2021

Putting the middle class back in the spotlight

Joe Biden has declined his “Project for American Families”, totaling nearly $ 2,000 billion, which he intends to finance through tax increases.

Posing as a defender of the middle class, the US president has touted a massive investment plan to create "millions of jobs" for Americans who feel left out.

“I know some of you are wondering if these jobs are for you.

You feel abandoned and forgotten in a rapidly changing economy, ”he said, in a thinly veiled allusion to his predecessor Donald Trump who championed the“ forgotten ”.

"Nearly 90% of jobs in infrastructure (provided for in his plan presented last month) do not require university degrees," he insisted.

Read also United States: Joe Biden wants to reverse Trump's tax cuts and tackle tax loopholes

The plan, which is already angering Republicans, is ambitious: $ 1 trillion in investments, especially in education, and $ 800 billion in tax cuts for the middle class.

To finance it, the Democrat proposes to cancel the tax cuts for the richest voted under Donald Trump, and to increase taxes on capital income for the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans.

"It is time for American companies and the richest 1% of Americans to start paying their fair share," he insisted.

With a promise hammered out in all tones: no American earning less than $ 400,000 a year will see their taxes increase.

This speech also marked the start of a bitter struggle in Congress: while its $ 1.9 billion plan to support the economy overcame the obstacle without any real difficulty, discussions on its gigantic infrastructure investment programs and education promises to be much more stormy.

An update on the situation related to Covid-19

From the podium, the Democratic President estimated that the vaccination plan put in place in the United States against Covid-19 was "one of the greatest logistical successes" in the history of the country.

More than 96 million people, or nearly 30% of the population, are considered fully vaccinated.

And, in a decision loaded with symbols, health officials announced Tuesday that Americans who received the life-saving bites no longer needed to wear masks outdoors, except in the midst of a crowd.

Towards police reform

Returning to another hot topic of society, the president called on the Senate to adopt in May a vast project of police reform, on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of the African-American George Floyd, under the knee of a white policeman.

The Democratic president called on the "courage of Congress" to definitively vote this text, which has already been adopted in the House of Representatives and plans in particular to fight against the wide judicial immunity enjoyed by agents.

"I know Republicans have their own ideas," he added, "we have to work together to find a consensus, let's get it over with next month, on the first anniversary of George Floyd's death," killed the May 25, 2020 by a white Minneapolis policeman.

A cordial firmness towards China and Russia

On the diplomatic front, Joe Biden hammered home his firmness vis-à-vis Beijing and Moscow, while saying he was ready for dialogue.

Assuring not "to seek the conflict with China", he insisted on the fact that he was "ready to defend American interests in all fields".

"In my discussions with President Xi (Jinping), I told him that we are in favor of competition" but that "we will fight against unfair trade practices", "will maintain a strong military presence in the Indo-Pacific region" and "we will not give up defending human rights," he said.

Read alsoWhy Joe Biden sticks his teeth out against China and Russia

The tenant of the White House also assured that he was not seeking "escalation" with Russia, while insisting that Moscow should answer for its actions.

"I have made it clear to President Putin that if we do not seek escalation, their actions will have consequences," he said.

"I have responded in a direct and proportionate manner to Russian interference in our elections and to cyber attacks targeting our government and our businesses," he continued.

But we can also cooperate when it is in our mutual interest.

"

A singular speech in several respects

Covid-19 requires, only some 200 people, against more than 1,600 usually, were present to follow the speech from the prestigious enclosure of the House of Representatives.

John Roberts was the only Supreme Court justice present.

Foreign Minister Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin were also on hand but the rest of the government watched the speech on television.

Another break with tradition: this year it was not necessary to choose a “designated survivor”.

Each year, a member of the government is normally designated not to attend the speech and who remains in an undisclosed location in order to be able to take the reins of power in the event of an attack on the building.

Behind Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris (l.) And President of Congress Nancy Pelosi.

REUTERS / Jim Watson / Pool

Behind Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris (l.) And Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

REUTERS / Jim Watson / Pool POOL

For the first time in history, two women had taken their places behind the president, in the field of the cameras: Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Speaker of the House, and Kamala Harris, who in January became the first woman to become vice-president. .

" It was time !

», Launched the American president under heavy applause, just before starting his speech.

After having described a "country in crisis" when he came to power - health and economic crisis but also the assault on the Capitol on January 6 by supporters of Donald Trump - Joe Biden also underlined the road traveled. The atmosphere was much less tense than during the last intervention of his predecessor in this chamber, in February 2020. Donald Trump had then ostensibly avoided shaking the hand extended to him by Nancy Pelosi. Once the speech was over, the latter had torn up her copy of the speech with a theatrical gesture.