State of the Union 2016
In his last State of the Union, President Obama reflected on the past seven years in office, speaking on topics including climate change, gun control, immigration and income inequality, January 12, 2016. ""That's the America I know. That's the country we love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Undaunted by challenge. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word," Obama said. "That's what makes me so hopeful about our future. Because of you. I believe in you. That's why I stand here confident that the State of our Union is strong," he forcefully concluded in his speech.
In this photo, Obama smiles as he begins his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in Washington as Vice President Joe Biden (L, rear) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R, rear) look on.
President Barack Obama
Vice President Joe Biden (C, rear) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R, rear) look on as President Barack Obama speaks.
Obama said that priority no. 1 is protecting the American people and going after terrorist networks. "Our troops are the finest fighting force in the history of the world," adding, "People of the world do not look to Beijing or Moscow to lead - they call us."
Obama pointed out, however, "The World respects us not just for our arsenal, but our diversity," reflecting on the need for religious tolerance and openness to immigration.
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama, appearing smiling and relaxed while delivering his final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, trumpeted the fact that nearly 18 million people gained health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but said he guessed that we won't agree on health care anytime soon.
President Barack Obama
President Obama listed four big questions that America has to answer.
"First, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in this new economy? Second, how do we make technology work for us, and not against us - especially when it comes to solving urgent challenges like climate change? Third, how do we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policeman? And finally, how can we make our politics reflect what's best in us, and not what's worst?"
State of the Union
Members of Congress, including Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) (C) listen to President Barack Obama speak.
Joint session of Congress
Obama said "Our unique strengths as a nation - our optimism and work ethic, our spirit of discovery and innovation, our diversity and commitment to the rule of law - these things give us everything we need to ensure prosperity and security for generations to come."
"We live in times of great change. We can embrace it or go backwards."
President Barack Obama
In speaking about income inequality, the president said, "Food stamp recipients didn't cause the financial crisis, recklessness on Wall Street did." He also said it is important to reduce the influence of money in our politics.
Reflecting on our political process, Obama stated that one of the few regrets he has of his presidency is the increased rancor and suspicion between the two parties.
Obama told his audience "public life withers when only the extreme voices get attention."
Democrats applaud
Democratic members of Congress rise and applaud President Barack Obama during his State of the Union address.
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama places his hands on his notes as he speaks.
President Barack Obama
President Obama spoke about the importance of addressing climate change saying if anyone still wanted to debate the validity of climate change science "have at it." Emphasizing a long running theme of economic benefits for the country to come up with solutions he asked, "Why would we want to pass up the chance for American businesses to produce and sell the energy of the future?"
First lady's guests
Guests in first lady Michelle Obama's box, including (L-R) Ryan Reyes, the partner of one of the victims of the San Bernardino shootings, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, communiity college student Jennifer Bragdon and Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone, who helped stop an attack on a Paris bound train in August, stand during the joint session of Congress for the Sate of the Union address in Washington.
President Barack Obama
President Obama reacts to cheers as he arrives at the podium to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Joe Biden
Vice President Joe Biden (L) points to President Barack Obama while Obama delivered his State of the Union address.
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama (L) is greeted by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) as he arrives to deliver his State of the Union address.
First lady Michelle Obama
First lady Michelle Obama, standing next to Connecticut Gov. Danniel Malloy, waves on Capitol Hill in Washington, prior to the start of President Obama's State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama gestures as he arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington before giving his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.
State of the Union
President Barack Obama shakes hands with members of Congress as he arrives to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama enters the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives to deliver his final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
President Barack Obama
Secretary of State John Kerry greets people in the House chamber.
House Speaker Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan gavels the joint session of Congress to order before the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.
Joe Biden and Paul Ryan
Vice President Joe Biden (L) talks with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan before the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.
Sen. Bernie Sanders
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (C) greets colleagues and guests on the floor of the House of Representatives before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella (C), CEO of Microsoft, gestures as he waits for US President Barack Obama to deliver the State of the Union at the Capitol in Washington.
Obama gives his final State of the Union address, perhaps the last opportunity of his presidency to sway a national audience and frame the 2016 election.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) arrives in the House chamber prior to President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Marco Rubio
Republican presidential candidate Senator Marco Rubio (top C) talks with colleagues as Senator Elizabeth Warren (R) hugs another member of Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives before the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Joe Biden
Vice President Joe Biden gestures before the arrival of President Barack Obama in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Kim Davis
Kim Davis (C), the Rowan County clerk in Kentucky, arrives before President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union Address during a Joint Session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington.
Kim Davis, a born-again Christian, was jailed briefly in September 2015 for contempt of court after refusing to issue marriage licenses due to her opposition to gay marriage, which the Supreme Court legalized across the United States in June. It wasn't announced which member of Congress invited Davis.
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio poses for a photo in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
President Barack Obama hugs Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the president arrives to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
First lady Michelle Obama
First lady Michelle Obama hugs Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy as she arrives in the first lady's box for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Supreme Court justices
Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts (L), arrive in the House chamber prior to President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Supreme Court justices
Members of the Supreme Court including Chief Justice John Roberts (L), Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (C), Justice David Souter and Justice Sonia Sotomayor (R) await President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.