President Barack Obama delivers State of the Union address
BARACK Obama has delivered a rousing State of the Union address to Congress.
In his wide-ranging speech that touched on sick leave for all workers, gender equality, Cuba and the closure of Guantanamo Bay, President vowed to relentlessly hunt down terrorists from “Pakistan to the streets of Paris”.
He then called on Congress to approve new war powers against Islamic State militants.
Obama argued that US military leadership in Iraq and Syria is stopping the Islamic State’s advance, but asked lawmakers “to show the world that we are united in this mission” with a war authorisation vote. Republican lawmakers have said they are prepared to work with him to pass such a measure if he sends a proposal up to Capitol Hill.
Tough talking ... Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union speech . Picture: Getty Source: AFP
Obama said America leaed “some costly lessons” in the fight against terrorism since the September 11 attacks, and they are guiding his approach to fight the Islamic State extremists.
“Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group,” Obama said
American dream ... First Lady Michelle Obama’s stylish Michael Kors suit sent Twitter into meltdown. Picture: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Source: AP
In terms of the economy, Obama declared that the “shadow of crisis” had passed America and urged Congress to build on economic gains by raising taxes on the nation’s wealthiest to pay for reductions for the middle class.
Change needed ... President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill. Picture: AP Photo/Mandel Ngan Source: AP
In a light-hearted, off-script moment, Obama said: “This is good news, people.”
But he tued his focus to a glaring failure of the recovery: While the wealthy are now wealthier than ever, the average American has not seen any rebound in their wages since the 2008 crisis.
On the subject of workers’ rights, Obama slammed Congress on the issue of gender equality.
“We’re the only advanced country on Earth that doesn’t guarantee paid sick leave or paid mateity leave to our workers,” he said.
More force needed ... the US has unleashed dozens of airstrikes against IS militants, such as this one in the Syrian town of Kobani. Picture: Gokhan Sahin/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
“Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to ea seven days of paid sick leave.
“Congress needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It’s 2015.”
He also asked for Congress help to reduce monthly payments on student loans “so that student debt doesn’t derail anyone’s dreams”.
As always, the White House invited along a select few citizens whose personal stories highlight a particular issue or public policy.
The guest list of 23 people included eight residents who wrote letters to Obama about their personal hardship and how White House policies helped them. The President says he reads 10 letters each night out of the thousands sent to him daily.
Preparations ... Capitol police gather at the Capitol in Washington ahead of Obama’s address. Source: AFP
The Washington Post identified other State of the Union guests, including a 39-year-old woman whose life was saved through surgery made possible by Obama’s Affordable Care Act, and a former prison inmate who had tued his life around and become a construction engineer after his release.
Pen pals ... Leslie Gresham, left, Carolyn Reed, and David Johnson, all wrote President Barack Obama letters. Reed is a guest to watch President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill today. Picture: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Source: AP
Another writer — identified only as a 13-year-old from Chicago — sent a message to Santa with a plea for safety, and the letter was passed on to the President by a non-profit organisation, the Post reported.
From Cuba to the Capitol Building ... Alan Gross will be among 23 guests as President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address. Picture: AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB Source: AFP
“It’s one of the most important things I do — it’s right there next to my national security briefing and whatever policy issues that we’re supposed to be working on — because it reminds me of why I ran for office,” the Post quoted Obama as saying.
“And so I have a chance just to hear from people as they tell their stories.”
Ronald Reagan was the first to invite special guests in 1982 and recognise them during the speech. Every president since has continued the tradition.
Obama’s 23 guests this year — who will be seated near the First Lady — include Alan Gross, the Maryland man who recently retued to the US after five years imprisoned in Cuba.
Gross was freed last month as part of Obama’s historic announcement that the US would end 50 years of hostility toward Cuba by restoring diplomatic relations.
Polls suggest Americans support the Cuban outreach
Republicans have countered by inviting Rosa Maria Paya, the daughter of late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya, to underscore Cuba’s poor human rights record.
Coincidentally — or not — the State of the Union falls the day before US envoys begin new talks in Havana on restoring ties, and Obama will push Congress to end the trade embargo.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
