With two lawmakers from California applauding behind him, President Biden promised Tuesday to “save democracy” amid Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in his first State of the Union address.
He led a standing ovation in the Capitol in support of Ukrainians facing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “unprovoked and premeditated invasion.”
“Let each of us if you’re able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world,” Biden said.
And he warned Putin of disaster to come for his autocratic regime.
“While he may make gains on the battlefield — he will pay a continuing high price over the long run,” Biden said. “He has no idea what’s coming.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both lawmakers from California, were seated behind the President — the first time two women have occupied those positions.
Biden singled out one California company in his speech. He recognized Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and said the Silicon Valley chipmaker is prepared to invest $100 billion in new U.S. factories if the Bipartisan Innovation Act is passed.
“That would be one of the biggest investments in manufacturing in American history,” Biden said. “And all they’re waiting for is for you to pass this bill,” he told the members of Congress in the chamber.
He called for immigration reform “so businesses have the workers they need and families don’t wait decades to reunite.” He said there must be for a pathway to citizenship for the Dreamers — an estimated 800,000 people who were brought to the United States illegally as children, most of whom live in California
On an issue of particular importance to San Diego, he proposed a creating an agency modeled after DARPA, which created the Internet and GPS, to achieve medical breakthroughs.
“I call on Congress to fund ARPA-H, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health,” Biden said. “ARPA-H will have a singular purpose—to drive breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more.”
Such an agency could have a major impact on San Diego’s life sciences sector.
For the first time in months, members of Congress were not wearing masks, although social distancing was observed in the seating.
“I know you’re tired, frustrated, and exhausted,” Biden said. “But I also know this…Tonight I can say we are moving forward safely, back to more normal routines.”
