Biden holds car rally in Georgia to mark 100 days in office
President Biden spoke at a drive-in rally in Georgia on Thursday evening to mark his 100th day in office. The rally comes the day after the president outlined his ambitious legislative agenda in his first address before a joint session of Congress.
The president used his speech Thursday to tout some of his successes, and pitch what he wants to do in the future to address infrastructure and spending on families and young people. He particularly acknowledged Georgia's two Democratic senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, who won in a special election in January. Because of them, Mr. Biden's COVID-19 relief package, the American Rescue Plan, passed the Senate, and he has a chance at passing other elements of his agenda.
"Folks, it's only been 100 days, but I have to tell you, I've never been more optimistic about the future in America, and America is on the move again," the president said as he closed out his speech. "We're choosing hope over fear, truth over lies, light over darkness. We're working, we're working again. We're dreaming again. We're discovering again. And we're leading the world again. And you're proving democracy can deliver for the people. We just need to remember who we are."
The trip to Georgia is the first step in a nationwide blitz by Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to promote the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan, the administration's multi-trillion dollar proposals to invest in infrastructure, health care and education. The president hopes to pay for the investments by increasing the corporate tax rate and increasing taxes on those making over $400,000, among other things.
"It's time for the richest 1% of Americans, and corporate America, to start to do their part," he said Thursday at the car rally.
Mr. Biden has promoted the American Jobs Plan as a "once-in-a-generation investment in America itself" and "the largest jobs plan since World War II." Mr. Biden has addressed some of the more controversial parts of the plan among Republicans, including investing in green jobs and improving home care for the elderly and disabled. The president framed his focus on climate change as a way to create new opportunities for workers.
He also a delivered a pitch for his American Families Plan, a roughly $1.8 trillion investment in education for children and young adults, and childcare assistance. The plan calls for free preschool for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, regardless of their family income, as well as two years of free community college for all Americans.
Mr. Biden went into those plans in more detail during his Wednesday night address to Congress.
Mr. Biden and the first lady also visited 96-year-old former President Jimmy Carter in Plains, Georgia, on Thursday afternoon before heading to Duluth for the rally. Reporters did not join the visit, but did catch a glimpse of Rosalynn Carter walking the Bidens to the door to say goodbye.