Biden pitches sweeping investment intend to Congress
US President Joe Biden has organized a sweeping investment plan for jobs, education and social care in his first speech to a joint session of Congress.
Delivered on the eve of his 100th day in office, the Democrat pitched plans involving some $4 trillion (£2.9tn) in spending - the greatest overhaul of US benefits because the 1960s, analysts say.
He called it a "once in a generation investment in America itself".
But the proposals face strong opposition from the Republican Party.
Despite slim Democratic control of both houses, they face a battle in Congress before they are able to become law.
In a historic moment, US Vice-President Kamala Harris - the first woman to carry that office - and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi both sat behind Mr Biden during Wednesday night's address. It was the 1st time two women appeared behind the president throughout a speech to Congress.
After addressing Ms Harris in his opening remarks as Madam Vice-President, Mr Biden added: "No president has ever said those words out of this podium. And it's about time."
The 78-year-old president, who has strong approval ratings, presented the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan. The White House said the proposals would be funded by tax raises on corporations and the wealthiest Americans.
"It's time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1%... to pay their fair share," Mr Biden said at an event that was scaled back as a result of pandemic.
He described the American Jobs Plan as "a blue-collar blueprint to build America" that could boost investment in public transport, high-speed broadband and roads and bridges. He added that the program will be guided by the fight climate change.
"When I think climate change I think jobs," he said. "There's no reason why American staff can't lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries."
He said the $1.8tn American Families Plan, meanwhile, would focus on children and seek to supply:
Free pre-school for children aged three to four
Paid family and medical leave in addition to health insurance subsidies
Tuition-free community college or university for all
An extension of key tax breaks that contain been expanded during the pandemic
The proposal follows the so-called American Rescue Plan, a $1.9tn coronavirus stimulus package that included direct cheques to most Americans, which Mr Biden signed into law last month.
On Wednesday, he framed these latest proposals in the context of foreign policy and said the US was "in a competition with China and other countries to win the 21st century". He also called for politicians from both parties to back his plans and said he was ready to use both sides.
