Biden in SOTU tries reviving Build Back Better spending bill, tells Americans 'we're going to be OK'

President Biden on Tuesday night tried to resuscitate his signature Build Back Better Act, a large social and climate spending package, and assured Americans that "we're going to be OK," in a State of the Union address criticized for being bereft of new ideas and inspiration. 

In the roughly one-hour speech in House chambers the Democrat president also declared that the country is "stronger today than we were a year ago."

With the chamber's mask mandate recently lifted, Biden began by noting that COVID-19 kept America's political leaders apart last year but now we're "together again."

Most lawmakers and Biden Cabinet leaders shook hands and sat without a mask in the chamber.

Biden dedicated a significant part of his address out of the gate to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying that Russian Leader Vladimir Putin "badly miscalculated" the invasion.

"He met the Ukrainian people," Biden said, referring to Ukrainians as a "wall of strength he never imagined." 

Biden described Putin's invasion of Ukraine as "premeditated and totally unprovoked."

"He rejected repeated efforts at diplomacy," he said. "He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home."

Biden also argued that "Putin was wrong" and "we are united." He said Putin is "more isolated" than he has ever been.

Biden also said the "free world" is holding Putin accountable, mentioning his decision to close off U.S. airspace to Russia.

"He has no idea what's coming," he said. "He will never weaken the resolve of the free world."

The U.S. and 30 other countries plan to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world to deal with gas prices rising further during the Russian invasion.  

"America will lead that effort, releasing 30 million barrels from our own Strategic Petroleum Reserve," Biden said. "And we stand ready to do more if necessary, unified with our allies. These steps will help blunt gas prices here at home. And I know the news about what’s happening can seem alarming. But I want you to know that we're going to be OK."

Following the remarks about Russia and Ukraine, Biden touted his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. 

“Unlike the $2 trillion tax cut passed in the previous administration that benefited the top one percent of Americans, the American Rescue Plan helped working people and left no one behind," he said. "It worked."

Republicans were heard booing in the chamber. GOP lawmakers have attributed rising inflation to the Democrats’ decision to pass that spending bill last March after two previous large-scale stimulus packages. 

While Biden discussed some of his spending plans, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that "Biden’s plan to reduce inflation and the national debt is for government to borrow and spend $2 trillion."

Rubio decided not to attend the speech in-person.

During the speech, Biden referred to some of the green provisions and new social programs in Build Back Better.

West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin announced in December he opposed the bill. 

Manchin sat on the GOP side of the chamber, between Sens. Mitt Romney, of Utah, and Roger Wicker, of Mississippi.

Biden referred to inflation and said his top priority is getting prices under control. He mostly attributed rising prices to supply chain issues during the pandemic. 

"Lower your costs, not your wages," he said, adding that companies should stop relying on foreign supply chains and focus on manufacturing in America.

Biden said he wants to cut energy costs for families by providing investment tax credits for weatherizing their homes for energy efficiency.

"Lower the price of electric vehicles," he also said.

Biden emphasized that his administration wants Congress to work to cut the cost of child care. He referred to the plan under the Build Back Better Act that would offer financial support to certain qualified families for child care.

Biden argued that America's tax system is not fair. He said families earning more than $400,000 per should pay more in taxes.

He vowed to go after "criminals" who stole pandemic relief money and said the Justice Department will soon name a "chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud."

Biden called for funding local police departments.

"The answer is not to defund the police. It is to fund police," Biden said to bipartisan applause. "Fund them with resources and training."

Biden said his administration won't give up on vaccinating more Americans against COVID-19.

"I say that we will never just accept living with COVID-19," he said. "We will continue to combat the virus as we do other diseases."

Biden also received bipartisan applause when he called for securing the border and fixing the immigration system.

The president called for more regulation of social media companies related to advertising.

"We must hold social media platforms accountable for the national experiment they’re conducting on our children for profit," he said. "It’s time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children, demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children. And let’s get all Americans the mental health services they need." 

Biden also endorsed efforts to pass legislation to help veterans impacted by toxins from burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Former Daily Show Host Jon Stewart often comes to Capitol Hill to advocate for passage of legislation related to providing health benefits to veterans suffering from conditions related to burn pits. 

"When they came home, many of the world’s fittest and best trained warriors were never the same. Headaches. Numbness. Dizziness," Biden said. "A cancer that would put them in a flag-draped coffin."

Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert shouted, "13 of them," referring to the U.S. troops who were killed during the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan last year.

Biden concluded the address saying that the U.S. is "stronger today than we were a year ago and we will be stronger a year from now than we are today."