Biden: Government must prove democracy can work

President Biden on Wednesday will outline his accomplishments in his first 100 days in office, touting that his administration is working to restore faith in democracy amid an economic and public health crisis and in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

“As I stand here tonight, we are just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration,” Biden will say, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks released by the White House.

“100 days since I took the oath of office — lifted my hand off our family Bible — and inherited a nation in crisis. The worst pandemic in a century. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.

“Now — after just 100 days — I can report to the nation: America is on the move again,” Biden will say. “Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength.”

Biden is expected to devote much of his speech to promoting the details of the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. The first proposal calls for a $2.3 trillion investment in infrastructure such as roadways, railways, broadband and long-term care, while the latter is a $1.8 trillion proposal focused on expanding access to education, child care, paid leave and health care.

The president will cite outside analyses that show the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs to the economy in the coming years, according to excerpts.

Biden is also expected to call on Congress to enact policing reform, tougher gun laws and immigration bills that provide permanent status for so-called Dreamers and address other flaws in the system.

“We have to prove democracy still works. That our government still works — and can deliver for the people,” Biden will say. “In our first 100 days together, we have acted to restore the people’s faith in our democracy to deliver.”

Biden’s speech to a joint session of Congress will look different than most State of the Union or first-year speeches presidents have delivered.

Roughly 200 people will be allowed in the chamber to watch live due to coronavirus restrictions, and Cabinet officials will watch from home or their offices. The first lady will host five guests virtually rather than in a private box in the chamber.