On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden is delivering an address to the nation. Unlike many such recent events, the central focus of the address is not the COVID-19 pandemic—though that’s sure to come up. And we’re not going back to Afghanistan. This time, Biden is focusing on the U.S. economy. 

The speech is expected to include a strong push for climate-forward policies recognizing that unless the United States makes the climate crisis a part of all decisions, the costs will be devastating in every sense of that term. As part of the “Build Back Better” plan, Biden will push the idea that even when the pandemic allows everyone to work in close proximity if they choose, we shouldn’t, and can’t afford to, go back to “the way things were.”

YouTube Video

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:13:09 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden pointing out what the Treasury Dept reported two weeks ago — ordinary Americans pay the taxes they owe, but the wealthy hide their income and evade $163 billion in taxes each year. (They literally owe more than enough to pay for Biden’s whole economic plan several times over.)

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:15:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden talking again about how 55 of the nation’s most profitable corporations paid no tax on billions in income. Makes it clear that almost none of Trump’s tax cut was paid for. “The unpaid bills racked up by the last administration totaled almost $8 trillion.”

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:16:29 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden pitches his plan as “a historic middle class tax cut” while Republicans are protecting those at the very top. “It’s about time working people got the tax breaks.”

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:18:37 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden quoting from letter that was signed by 15 Nobel Prize winners in economics — and 450 other economists — supporting his plan for child tax credits. 

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:19:55 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden mentioning “extreme weather events” including hurricanes along the Gulf, flooding in the Northeast, and fires in the west — all in this year alone. 

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:20:42 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

$99 billion in climate disasters last year, likely to exceed that number in 2021.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:22:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden focusing on the infrastructure plan as he draws close to the end of this address.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:23:12 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“This is an opportunity to be the nation we know we can be; a nation where all of us, not just those at the top, can share in the benefits.”

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:24:27 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And what is the topic of the first question shouted at Biden as he leaves the stage? Nicki Minaj. 

If you want to know why Biden left without taking questions, there you go.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:01:40 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden begins by saying that the nation is “at an inflection point” where the decisions made now can have changes that extend for decades.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:03:02 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden focusing on the enormous expansion of the gap between CEO pay and worker pay, the increasing wealth in the hands of billionaires, and corporations that avoided paying any taxes.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:03:49 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“How is it possible for millionaires and billionaires to pay a lower rate of tax than teachers, fire fighters, and those in law enforcement?”

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:04:07 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“This is our moment to deal working people back into the economy.”

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:05:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden highlighting improvements since he took office, but pointing out that it’s not enough.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:08:39 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden singles out Abott and DeSantis as pushing back on life saving actions, points out that states have existing requirements for vaccination against multiple diseases. Biden gives Tate Reeves a thump as he says he’s not going to give into the pushback and threats coming from the right.

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 6:10:01 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden says that both gas and food should be cheaper. Points out how these industries are controlled by a very few companies.