作者: 良知媒體
議長先生、副總統先生、國會成員、第一夫人、以及美國人民：
今晚標誌著美國非洲裔歷史月的結束，它提醒著我們美國追求民權的道路，以及我們還需要做出的努力。近期針對猶太社區中心的威脅以及損毀猶太墓園的事件，連同上週堪薩斯城的槍擊案，都提醒著我們這樣一件事：我們或許在政策上有所分歧，但是我們一致譴責任何形式的仇恨與邪惡。
一代代美國人傳遞著真理、自由和公正的火炬，不斷的傳承一直延續至今。
這把火炬現在傳到了我們手中。我們要用它來點亮世界。今晚我在這裡傳達團結和力量的信息，這是發自我內心的信息。
偉大美國的新篇章即將開啟。
新一輪的國家自豪感席捲全國。
一股樂觀的風潮讓那些看似不可能的夢想垂手可得。
今天我們看到的是美國精神重振雄風。
我們的盟友會發現，美國再次準備好領導世界。
不論是我們的朋友或敵人，世界上所有的國家，都會看到一個強大、自豪、自由的美國。
我不會讓近幾十年的錯誤來決定我們的未來。
這已經持續了太久：我們眼睜睜看著中產階級不斷縮小，我們的工作和財富流失到國外。
我們資助了一個又一個的全球項目，但是忽略了那些在芝加哥、巴爾的摩、底特律以及全國各地許多城市貧民區的孩子。
我們守衛其他國家的邊界，但卻讓我們的邊界大門敞開，他人隨便進入，前所未有的大量毒品湧入美國。
我們在國外耗資數萬億美元，而國內的基礎設施卻幾近崩潰。
瀕臨破產的產業將重獲新生。我們的英雄老兵將得到他們應得的照料。
我們勇猛的戰士們將得到他們受之無愧的資源。
幾近崩潰的基礎設施將不復存在，新的道路、橋樑、隧道、機場和鐵路將在我們美麗的國土上閃閃發光。
我們嚴重的毒品氾濫將得到減緩，最終被消除。
我們被忽視的內城將重獲希望、安全和機會。
最重要的，我們將信守我們對美國人民的承諾。
我上任已經一個多月了，我想藉此機會來報告一下履行這些承諾上的一些進展。
自我當選之後，福特、菲亞特-克萊斯勒、通用汽車、斯普林特、軟銀集團、洛克希德、因特爾、沃爾瑪，還有很多其他公司，都宣佈他們將在美國投資數十億美元，並為美國創造成千上萬份工作。
自11月8日的大選之後，股市創記錄地上漲近3萬億美元。降低新F-35噴氣戰機的費用，我們為納稅者節省了數億美元，我們將繼續在政府合同方面節省更多的資金。我們暫停僱傭非軍事和非緊急性質的聯邦僱員。
我們已經開始施行一項禁令：行政部門官員五年內不得做遊說工作，終身不得為外國政府遊說，以此打擊政府腐敗。
我們進行了具有歷史意義的行動，減少打擊就業的規章制度，在每個政府機構成立解除管制工作組，並推行一項新規定：每定一條新規，須撤銷兩條舊律。我們還叫停了威脅到偉大的煤礦工人前途和生計的規定。
我們為建設「拱心石」和達科他輸油管線掃清了障礙，從而創造數萬個工作機會。我還發佈了一道新指令：新的美國輸油管線要用美國的鋼材建造。
我們從扼殺工作機會的跨太平洋夥伴關係協議中撤出。
在加拿大總理特魯多的幫助下，我們和加拿大組建了一個委員會，以確保女性創業者能接觸到交際網路、市場和資本，她們需要這些去創業，去實現他們的金融夢想。
為了保護我們的公民，我指示司法部組成一個「減少暴力犯罪」工作小組。
我還命令國土安全部、司法部、國務院和國家情報總監一起協作，制定一個強勢策略，來摧毀遍佈在國內的犯罪集團。
我們要阻止毒品進入國內，毒害我們的青少年。我們也要為已經上癮的人增加治療服務。
同時，我的政府也回應了美國人民對於移民管制和加強邊境安全的訴求－我們終於加強執行了移民法，我們會提高薪資，幫助失業者，節省數十億美元，並讓我們的社區更安全。我們希望每個美國人都成功－但這在沒有法律秩序的混亂中是不可能的。我們必須為我們的邊境恢復尊嚴和法治。
因此，我們很快將開始沿南部邊境建設高牆。開工時間將早於預期。完工後，這將是打擊毒品和犯罪的有力武器。
就在此時，我們在掃除幫派成員、毒品販子和罪犯，他們威脅我們的社區安全，對我們的公民下手。就在今晚我講話的同時，我們在遣送壞人出境，正如我所承諾的一樣。
對於國會裡不認為我們應該嚴格執法的人，我要問你們：對那些由於美國拒絕維護法律、守衛邊境而失去工作、失去收入、失去愛人的美國家庭，你要怎樣跟他們交待？
我們的職責是服務、守護、保衛美國公民。我們也將採取強硬措施，保護我們的國家不受伊斯蘭恐怖主義所害。
根據司法部的數據，九一一恐怖事件之後，絕大多數實施恐怖襲擊的人是從海外進入美國的。我們在本土目睹了這些襲擊－從波士頓到聖貝納迪諾，到五角大樓，對，還有世貿中心。
法國、比利時、德國都發生了這樣的襲擊。
我們不能任憑一波恐怖主義浪潮在美國國內形成，我們不能允許美國成為極端分子的庇護所。
正如我所承諾的，我指示國防部制定一套方案，擊破並消滅伊斯蘭國。那是一群屠殺穆斯林和基督徒，屠殺任何信仰的男人、女人和孩子的無法無天的野蠻人。我們會和包括穆斯林世界在內的盟友一起，消滅這個世界上的邪惡敵人。
我還對支持伊朗彈道導彈計畫的組織和個人施行了新的制裁，並重申了我們與以色列堅不可摧的同盟關係。
最後，我也履行了關於指定一位能捍衛憲法的最高法院大法官的承諾，我的名單上有多達二十位候選人。
我們今天有幸請來莫琳．斯卡利亞女士。她已逝的丈夫安東尼．斯卡利亞將永遠是美國司法的象徵。我們選擇了尼爾．戈薩奇法官填補他的空缺。戈薩奇業務卓越，深愛法律事業。他獲得了巡迴上訴法院的一致確認，我請求參議院儘快批准對他的提名。
今晚，在我闡述我們作為一個國家接下來必須要採取的措施之際，我們必須坦誠地承認我們接手的一些局面。
9400萬美國人失業。
4300多萬人目前生活在貧困之中，超過4300萬美國人依靠食品券生活。
20%以上的青壯年沒有工作。
我們有65年來最慢的金融復甦。
在過去的八年中，上一屆政府新增加的債務幾乎超過以往所有其他總統任期債務的總和。
自從批准北美自幼貿易協定以來，我們損失了超過四分之一的製造業工作；自從中國2001年加入世貿組織以來，我們喪失了6萬個工廠。
去年，我們與世界其他國家和地區的商品貿易赤字接近8000億美元。
在海外，我們繼承的是一系列外交政策災難。
要解決這些以及其他眾多的緊迫問題，則要求我們跨過黨派分歧，要求我們發揮在我們漫長豐富的歷史中幫助我們克服每一項挑戰的美國精神。
但是，要實現我們的國內外目標，我們必須重啟美國經濟的引擎——讓企業在美國做生意更加便利，讓它們離開美國更加困難。
現在，美國公司承受最高的賦稅。
我的經濟團隊正在研究一項歷史性的稅改方案，這項改革將降低我們企業的稅率，讓它們能夠與任何地方的任何人競爭，讓它們發展壯大。與此同時，我們還將為中產階級大幅減稅。
我們必須為美國企業和工人創造一個公平的競爭平臺。
目前，我們出口產品的時候，其他國家讓我們支付非常高的關稅和其他稅，但是當外國公司向我們出口商品時，我們幾乎不對他們徵收任何費用。
我篤信自由貿易，但是自由貿易也必須是公平貿易。
第一位共和黨總統亞伯拉罕．林肯曾經警告說，「美國政府拋棄保護主義政策將會在我們的民眾之間產生匱乏和破產。」
林肯是對的——我們該留意他的忠告了。我不會讓美國及其偉大的企業和工人再被任何人佔便宜。
我會帶回數百萬的就業崗位。保護我們的工人也意味著改革我們的合法移民制度。目前這種過時的制度壓低了我們最貧困工人的工資，讓那納稅人承受巨大壓力。
像加拿大、澳大利亞以及世界其他國家都有一個基於資質能力的移民制度。那些想要移民到一個國家的人應當在經濟上能夠自給自足，這是一個基本原則。但是在美國，我們沒有執行這種規定，這擠壓了我們最貧困公民所依靠的公共資源。根據國家科學院的數據，我們目前的移民制度每年花費美國納稅人數十億美元。
改變目前這種鼓勵低技術移民的制度，轉而採取一種基於資質能力的制度，將會裨益良多：節省難以計數的資金，提高工人工資，幫助處境艱難的家庭——包括移民家庭——步入中產。
我相信真正的、積極的移民改革是可能的，只要我們鎖定以下幾個目標：增加國民就業和工資水平；增強國土安全保障；重建法律的尊嚴。
如果我們以美國公民的幸福安康為指南，我相信民主、共和兩黨可以同心同力達成這個國家幾十年來未曾實現的成果。
另一位民主黨總統德威特．D．艾森豪威爾實施了最後一個真正偉大的國家基礎設施項目——州際高速公路系統的建設。現在該開始新一輪重建美國的項目了。
美國已經在中東地區花了大約六萬億美元，然而國內的基礎設施卻破敗不堪。這六萬億美元夠我們重建國家兩次了。假如我們有談判能力的人，甚至有可能重建三次。
為了開始重建我們的國家，我將會要求國會批准提案，由政府和私人出資一萬億美元投入到美國的基礎設施建設中，增加千百萬工作機會。
這一建設將遵循兩個原則：買美國貨、雇美國人。
今晚，我同時呼籲國會廢除歐巴馬的健保法案，以選擇更多、覆蓋面更廣、成本更低、服務更好的健康保險取而代之。
強制每個美國人購買政府批准的醫療保險絕對不能解決美國的問題。讓健康保險惠及每個人的途徑是降低醫保成本，這正是我們所要做的。
歐巴馬醫保的費用在全國範圍已經以兩位、三位數的速度增長。舉例來說，亞利桑那州僅僅在去年就增長了116%。肯塔基州的馬特．貝文州長剛剛表示，歐巴馬的醫保在該州正走向失敗——它無法維持並走向崩潰。
歐巴馬的醫保正在崩塌，我們必須果斷行動保護所有國民。我們別無選擇，我們必須行動。
因此，我呼籲國會所有民主黨人和共和黨人，希望他們與我們一起合作，將美國人從歐巴馬醫保崩潰的災難中拯救出來。
我的政府希望與兩黨成員共同合作，讓人們能夠獲得負擔得起的兒童保育服務，確保新近為人父母者擁有帶薪育嬰假，為女性健康進行投入，推動清潔空氣和清潔水源，重建我們的軍事基礎設施。
真正熱愛我們的人民就是需要我們找到共識，推進共同利益，為了每一個理應擁有的光明未來的美國孩子而合作。
今晚有一位了不起的年輕人在場，她給予我們所有人激勵。
今天是國際罕見病日，今天來到議會的就有一位罕見病倖存者，他叫梅根．克勞利。梅根15個月時被確診患有龐貝氏症，這是一種罕見的嚴重疾病。醫生說她活不過五歲。
在聽到這個消息後，梅根的爸爸約翰，為挽救心愛孩子的生命付出了一切。他成立了一家公司，希望能夠找到治癒這種疾病的方法，並且幫助研發了能夠拯救梅根生命的藥物。今天，梅根20歲了，是聖母大學的大二學生。
梅根的故事講的就是父愛無疆。
但是我們食品和藥物管理局的緩慢而繁瑣的程序阻礙了許多進步，比如可以拯救梅根性命的藥物，讓它們難以到達急需幫助的人手中。
如果我們能夠減少食品和藥物管理局乃至整個政府的管制，那我們將能收穫更多像梅根這樣的奇蹟。
事實上，我們的子孫後代將在一個充滿奇蹟的國度長大。
但是，為了創造這樣的未來，我們必須豐富每個美國孩子的心靈。
教育是我們這個時代的民權
我呼籲兩黨成員通過一項資助包括非裔和拉丁裔在內的弱勢兒童的教育法案。這些家庭理應能夠自由地選擇適用於他們的公共、私人、特許、公立重點、宗教或者家庭學校。
今天到場加入我們的還有一位了不起的女性，丹妮莎．瑪麗懷瑟。這位年輕女孩曾經在學校痛苦掙扎，兩次在三年級留級。但之後，她通過一項課稅津貼獎學金項目成功進入一傢俬人中心學習。如今．，她是一家之中第一個從高中和大學畢業的。今年晚些時候，她將完成社工領域的碩士學位。
我們想要每個孩子都能像丹妮莎這樣擺脫貧困的循環。
但是要打破這個循環，我們必須要打破暴力的循環。
2015年的兇殺率創下了近半個世紀以來的年度增長記錄。
在芝加哥，僅去年一年就有四千多人遭遇槍擊，今年以來的兇殺率則更高。
這在當今的社會是不能容忍的。
每一個美國孩子都應該能在安全的社區長大，進入優秀的學校，並且能夠獲得高薪的工作。
但是要創造這樣的未來，我們必須和執法人員合作，而非妨礙他們。
我們必須建立合作和信任的橋樑，而非製造分歧與不和的裂痕。
警員和警官是我們社區的一份子。他們是友人和鄰居，父親和母親，兒子和女兒。他們每天離去的時候，他們所愛的人都會擔憂他們是否能平安歸來。
我們必須支持這些了不起的執法人員。
我們也必須支持犯罪受害者。
我已經命令國土安全部建立辦公室來服務受害的美國公民。這間辦公室叫做移民犯罪受害者。我們將向那些被媒體忽視、被特殊利益團體噤聲的人們提供發聲的渠道。
今晚加入我們的還有四名極其勇敢的美國人，他們的政府辜負了他們。
他們是傑米兒．肖，蘇珊．奧利弗，珍娜．奧利弗以及傑西卡．戴維斯。
傑米兒17歲的兒子被一名非法入境、剛剛從監獄釋放的黑幫成員殘忍地殺害。小傑米兒．肖曾是一位了不起的年輕人，有著無限潛力，準備去上大學，並且會是一名優秀的橄欖球的四分衛。但是他再也無法擁有這個機會了。他的父親，今晚也在觀眾席上，成了我的好朋友。
和我們在一起的還有蘇珊?奧利弗和傑西卡?戴維斯。她們的丈夫——副警長丹尼?奧利弗和偵探邁克爾?戴維斯在加州執行公務時遇害。他們是那個社區的支柱。一名有犯罪記錄的非法移民和兩名先前被驅逐出境的人殘忍地槍殺了這些勇敢的男子。
蘇珊坐在一起的是她的女兒珍娜。珍娜，我想讓你知道，你的父親是個英雄。今晚你擁有整個國家的愛。人們支持你，為你祈禱。
傑米爾、珍娜、傑西卡，我要你們知道，我們會為正義奮鬥不息。你們的家人永遠不會被忘記，我們將永遠懷念他們。
最後，為了保衛美國的安全，我們必須為美國軍隊的軍人們提供他們需要的武器，防止戰爭，如果他們必須奔向戰場，幫助他們打贏戰爭。
我向國會遞交了一份重建軍隊的預算，消除國防自動赤減方案，提出美國有史以來最多的國防開支增長。
我的預算也將增加退伍軍人的經費。
我們的退伍軍人沒有辜負國家的期望——現在我們必須不負他們的期望。
我們國家所面臨的挑戰是巨大的，但我們的人民更加偉大。
不過沒有人比為美國奮戰的軍人更加偉大而勇敢。
那些想知道美國會成為什麼樣的朋友的盟友們，你們只需看看那些身著美軍制服的英雄們。
我們的外交政策要求我們與世界展開直接、有力和有意義的接觸。我們與世界各地的盟友們所共享的是建立在重大安全利益基礎上的美國領導力。
我們堅決支持北約，這是通過推翻法西斯主義的兩次世界大戰和擊敗共產主義的冷戰所鑄就的同盟。
但是我們的夥伴必須履行各自的財政義務。
現在，經過十分激烈和坦誠的討論後，他們已經開始這樣做。
我們期待我們的夥伴，不管是在北約、中東還是太平洋地區的夥伴，在戰略和軍事行動中發揮直接、有意義的作用，並公平地分擔開支。
我們尊重歷史體系，但我們也尊重國家主權。
自由的國家是表達人民意願的最佳工具——美國尊重所有國家走自己道路的權利。我的工作不是代表全世界。我的工作是代表美利堅合眾國。但我們知道當衝突減少，而不是增多的時候，美國會更好。
我們必須從過去的錯誤中吸取教訓——我們看過肆虐全球的戰爭和破壞。
解決這些人道主義災難的唯一長期辦法是創造條件，使流離失所的人能安全返回家園，並開始長期重建工作。
在一致的共同利益面前，美國願意找尋新朋友，建立新夥伴關係。我們想要和平與穩定，不是戰爭與衝突。
我們渴望和平，在任何能找到和平的地方。今天，美國和過去的敵人成為朋友。我們最親密的一些盟友，幾十年前在世界大戰中在對立的一方同我們交戰。這樣的歷史讓我們有充分的信心，相信世界可能變得更好。
期待著，在美國建國的第250年我們將看到一個更加和平、公正和自由的世界。
1876年，也就是我們建國100週年時，美國各地的公民來到費城，歡慶美國百年紀念。那次慶典上，我們國家的建築者、藝術家和發明家展現了他們的創造。
亞歷山大．格雷姆．貝爾首次展現了他的電話。
雷明頓拿出了第一個打字機。還有人試圖發明電燈。
托馬斯．愛迪生展現了自動電報，還有一隻電子筆。
想像一下美國建國250年時我們的國家會創造怎樣的奇蹟。
想像一下，如果我們讓人民放手追夢，我們能夠取得的成績。
治癒那些常常困擾我們的疾病將不再遙不可及。
在浩瀚宇宙上留下美國的足跡將不再只是夢想。
數百萬人重獲工作將不再是遙遠的期望。
讓母親不再懼怕的街道，讓孩子在和平中學習的學校，還有讓美國人民繁榮富強的工作，將不再遙不可及。
當我們擁有這些，我們會讓美國前所未有地更加強大，惠及所有美國人民。
這是我們的目標。這是我們的使命。
不可以再拘泥於小事了，不可以再為微不足道之事而爭吵了。我們只需勇敢地分享心中的夢想，表達激盪於靈魂的希望，滿懷信心地將那些希望與夢想付諸行動。從現在起，美國將因壯志而強大，而非為恐懼所束縛。
美國將受願景的指引，而非被懷疑所矇蔽
我呼籲全體公民擁抱美國精神的復興。我呼籲全體國會成員和我一道，為我們的國家而憧憬壯美、大膽、驚人的目標。我呼籲所有見證此夜的人們把握這一時刻，
相信你們自己
相信你們的未來
並且再次相信美利堅
謝謝，願上帝保佑你們，願天祐美國！
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and Citizens of America:
Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our Nation』s path toward civil rights and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week』s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.
Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice — in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present.
That torch is now in our hands. And we will use it to light up the world. I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength, and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart.
A new chapter of American Greatness is now beginning.
A new national pride is sweeping across our Nation.
And a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp.
What we are witnessing today is the Renewal of the American Spirit.
Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead.
All the nations of the world — friend or foe — will find that America is strong, America is proud, and America is free.
In 9 years, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding — 250 years since the day we declared our Independence.
It will be one of the great milestones in the history of the world.
But what will America look like as we reach our 250th year? What kind of country will we leave for our children?
I will not allow the mistakes of recent decades past to define the course of our future.
For too long, we』ve watched our middle class shrink as we』ve exported our jobs and wealth to foreign countries.
We』ve financed and built one global project after another, but ignored the fates of our children in the inner cities of Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit — and so many other places throughout our land.
We』ve defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross — and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate.
And we』ve spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled.
Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. The rebellion started as a quiet protest, spoken by families of all colors and creeds — families who just wanted a fair shot for their children, and a fair hearing for their concerns.
But then the quiet voices became a loud chorus — as thousands of citizens now spoke out together, from cities small and large, all across our country.
Finally, the chorus became an earthquake — and the people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first … because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
Dying industries will come roaring back to life. Heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need.
Our military will be given the resources its brave warriors so richly deserve.
Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways gleaming across our beautiful land.
Our terrible drug epidemic will slow down and ultimately, stop.
And our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity.
Above all else, we will keep our promises to the American people.
It』s been a little over a month since my inauguration, and I want to take this moment to update the Nation on the progress I』ve made in keeping those promises.
Since my election, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, Softbank, Lockheed, Intel, Walmart, and many others, have announced that they will invest billions of dollars in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new American jobs.
The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record. We』ve saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of the fantastic new F-35 jet fighter, and will be saving billions more dollars on contracts all across our Government. We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential Federal workers.
We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5 year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials — and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.
We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job?crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every Government agency; imposing a new rule which mandates that for every 1 new regulation, 2 old regulations must be eliminated; and stopping a regulation that threatens the future and livelihoods of our great coal miners.
We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines — thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs — and I』ve issued a new directive that new American pipelines be made with American steel.
We have withdrawn the United States from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership.
With the help of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, we have formed a Council with our neighbors in Canada to help ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to the networks, markets and capital they need to start a business and live out their financial dreams.
To protect our citizens, I have directed the Department of Justice to form a Task Force on Reducing Violent Crime.
I have further ordered the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, along with the Department of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to coordinate an aggressive strategy to dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread across our Nation.
We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth — and we will expand treatment for those who have become so badly addicted.
At the same time, my Administration has answered the pleas of the American people for immigration enforcement and border security. By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone. We want all Americans to succeed — but that can』t happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders.
For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great wall along our southern border. It will be started ahead of schedule and, when finished, it will be a very effective weapon against drugs and crime.
As we speak, we are removing gang members, drug dealers and criminals that threaten our communities and prey on our citizens. Bad ones are going out as I speak tonight and as I have promised.
To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I would ask you this question: what would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?
Our obligation is to serve, protect, and defend the citizens of the United States. We are also taking strong measures to protect our Nation from Radical Islamic Terrorism.
According to data provided by the Department of Justice, the vast majority of individuals convicted for terrorism-related offenses since 9/11 came here from outside of our country. We have seen the attacks at home — from Boston to San Bernardino to the Pentagon and yes, even the World Trade Center.
We have seen the attacks in France, in Belgium, in Germany and all over the world.
It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.
We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America — we cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.
That is why my Administration has been working on improved vetting procedures, and we will shortly take new steps to keep our Nation safe — and to keep out those who would do us harm.
As promised, I directed the Department of Defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS — a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians, and men, women, and children of all faiths and beliefs. We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the Muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet.
I have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who support Iran』s ballistic missile program, and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel.
Finally, I have kept my promise to appoint a Justice to the United States Supreme Court — from my list of 20 judges — who will defend our Constitution. I am honored to have Maureen Scalia with us in the gallery tonight. Her late, great husband, Antonin Scalia, will forever be a symbol of American justice. To fill his seat, we have chosen Judge Neil Gorsuch, a man of incredible skill, and deep devotion to the law. He was confirmed unanimously to the Court of Appeals, and I am asking the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination.
Tonight, as I outline the next steps we must take as a country, we must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited.
Ninety-four million Americans are out of the labor force.
Over 43 million people are now living in poverty, and over 43 million Americans are on food stamps.
More than 1 in 5 people in their prime working years are not working.
We have the worst financial recovery in 65 years.
In the last 8 years, the past Administration has put on more new debt than nearly all other Presidents combined.
We』ve lost more than one-fourth of our manufacturing jobs since NAFTA was approved, and we』ve lost 60,000 factories since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion dollars.
And overseas, we have inherited a series of tragic foreign policy disasters.
Solving these, and so many other pressing problems, will require us to work past the differences of party. It will require us to tap into the American spirit that has overcome every challenge throughout our long and storied history.
But to accomplish our goals at home and abroad, we must restart the engine of the American economy — making it easier for companies to do business in the United States, and much harder for companies to leave.
Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates anywhere in the world.
My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.
We must create a level playing field for American companies and workers.
Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes — but when foreign companies ship their products into America, we charge them almost nothing.
I just met with officials and workers from a great American company, Harley-Davidson. In fact, they proudly displayed five of their magnificent motorcycles, made in the USA, on the front lawn of the White House.
At our meeting, I asked them, how are you doing, how is business? They said that it』s good. I asked them further how they are doing with other countries, mainly international sales. They told me — without even complaining because they have been mistreated for so long that they have become used to it — that it is very hard to do business with other countries because they tax our goods at such a high rate. They said that in one case another country taxed their motorcycles at 100 percent.
They weren』t even asking for change. But I am.
I believe strongly in free trade but it also has to be FAIR TRADE.
The first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, warned that the 「abandonment of the protective policy by the American Government [will] produce want and ruin among our people.”
Lincoln was right — and it is time we heeded his words. I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers, be taken advantage of anymore.
I am going to bring back millions of jobs. Protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration. The current, outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers, and puts great pressure on taxpayers.
Nations around the world, like Canada, Australia and many others — have a merit-based immigration system. It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially. Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon. According to the National Academy of Sciences, our current immigration system costs America』s taxpayers many billions of dollars a year.
Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, will have many benefits: it will save countless dollars, raise workers』 wages, and help struggling families — including immigrant families — enter the middle class.
I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation』s security, and to restore respect for our laws.
If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades.
Another Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, initiated the last truly great national infrastructure program — the building of the interstate highway system. The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding.
America has spent approximately six trillion dollars in the Middle East, all this while our infrastructure at home is crumbling. With this six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country — twice. And maybe even three times if we had people who had the ability to negotiate.
To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States — financed through both public and private capital — creating millions of new jobs.
This effort will be guided by two core principles: Buy American, and Hire American.
Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better Healthcare.
Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America. The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.
Obamacare premiums nationwide have increased by double and triple digits. As an example, Arizona went up 116 percent last year alone. Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky just said Obamacare is failing in his State — it is unsustainable and collapsing.
One third of counties have only one insurer on the exchanges — leaving many Americans with no choice at all.
Remember when you were told that you could keep your doctor, and keep your plan?
We now know that all of those promises have been broken.
Obamacare is collapsing — and we must act decisively to protect all Americans. Action is not a choice — it is a necessity.
So I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in the Congress to work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.
Here are the principles that should guide the Congress as we move to create a better healthcare system for all Americans:
First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.
Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts — but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.
Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.
Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance — and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.
Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines — creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care.
Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem can be solved. And every hurting family can find healing, and hope.
Our citizens deserve this, and so much more — so why not join forces to finally get it done? On this and so many other things, Democrats and Republicans should get together and unite for the good of our country, and for the good of the American people.
My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make childcare accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have paid family leave, to invest in women』s health, and to promote clean air and clear water, and to rebuild our military and our infrastructure.
True love for our people requires us to find common ground, to advance the common good, and to cooperate on behalf of every American child who deserves a brighter future.
An incredible young woman is with us this evening who should serve as an inspiration to us all.
Today is Rare Disease day, and joining us in the gallery is a Rare Disease Survivor, Megan Crowley. Megan was diagnosed with Pompe Disease, a rare and serious illness, when she was 15 months old. She was not expected to live past 5.
On receiving this news, Megan』s dad, John, fought with everything he had to save the life of his precious child. He founded a company to look for a cure, and helped develop the drug that saved Megan』s life. Today she is 20 years old — and a sophomore at Notre Dame.
Megan』s story is about the unbounded power of a father』s love for a daughter.
But our slow and burdensome approval process at the Food and Drug Administration keeps too many advances, like the one that saved Megan』s life, from reaching those in need.
If we slash the restraints, not just at the FDA but across our Government, then we will be blessed with far more miracles like Megan.
In fact, our children will grow up in a Nation of miracles.
But to achieve this future, we must enrich the mind — and the souls — of every American child.
Education is the civil rights issue of our time.
I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them.
Joining us tonight in the gallery is a remarkable woman, Denisha Merriweather. As a young girl, Denisha struggled in school and failed third grade twice. But then she was able to enroll in a private center for learning, with the help of a tax credit scholarship program. Today, she is the first in her family to graduate, not just from high school, but from college. Later this year she will get her masters degree in social work.
We want all children to be able to break the cycle of poverty just like Denisha.
But to break the cycle of poverty, we must also break the cycle of violence.
The murder rate in 2015 experienced its largest single-year increase in nearly half a century.
In Chicago, more than 4,000 people were shot last year alone — and the murder rate so far this year has been even higher.
This is not acceptable in our society.
Every American child should be able to grow up in a safe community, to attend a great school, and to have access to a high-paying job.
But to create this future, we must work with — not against — the men and women of law enforcement.
We must build bridges of cooperation and trust — not drive the wedge of disunity and division.
Police and sheriffs are members of our community. They are friends and neighbors, they are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters — and they leave behind loved ones every day who worry whether or not they』ll come home safe and sound.
We must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement.
And we must support the victims of crime.
I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American Victims. The office is called VOICE — Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement. We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests.
Joining us in the audience tonight are four very brave Americans whose government failed them.
Their names are Jamiel Shaw, Susan Oliver, Jenna Oliver, and Jessica Davis.
Jamiel』s 17-year-old son was viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member, who had just been released from prison. Jamiel Shaw Jr. was an incredible young man, with unlimited potential who was getting ready to go to college where he would have excelled as a great quarterback. But he never got the chance. His father, who is in the audience tonight, has become a good friend of mine.
Also with us are Susan Oliver and Jessica Davis. Their husbands — Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver and Detective Michael Davis — were slain in the line of duty in California. They were pillars of their community. These brave men were viciously gunned down by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and two prior deportations.
Sitting with Susan is her daughter, Jenna. Jenna: I want you to know that your father was a hero, and that tonight you have the love of an entire country supporting you and praying for you.
To Jamiel, Jenna, Susan and Jessica: I want you to know — we will never stop fighting for justice. Your loved ones will never be forgotten, we will always honor their memory.
Finally, to keep America Safe we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and — if they must — to fight and to win.
I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.
My budget will also increase funding for our veterans.
Our veterans have delivered for this Nation — and now we must deliver for them.
The challenges we face as a Nation are great. But our people are even greater.
And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform.
We are blessed to be joined tonight by Carryn Owens, the widow of a U.S. Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William 「Ryan” Owens. Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero — battling against terrorism and securing our Nation.
I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, 「Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies.” Ryan』s legacy is etched into eternity. For as the Bible teaches us, there is no greater act of love than to lay down one』s life for one』s friends. Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom — we will never forget him.
To those allies who wonder what kind of friend America will be, look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform.
Our foreign policy calls for a direct, robust and meaningful engagement with the world. It is American leadership based on vital security interests that we share with our allies across the globe.
We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism.
But our partners must meet their financial obligations.
And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that.
We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the Pacific — to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations, and pay their fair share of the cost.
We will respect historic institutions, but we will also respect the sovereign rights of nations.
Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people — and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path. My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America. But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict — not more.
We must learn from the mistakes of the past — we have seen the war and destruction that have raged across our world.
The only long-term solution for these humanitarian disasters is to create the conditions where displaced persons can safely return home and begin the long process of rebuilding.
America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align. We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict.
We want peace, wherever peace can be found. America is friends today with former enemies. Some of our closest allies, decades ago, fought on the opposite side of these World Wars. This history should give us all faith in the possibilities for a better world.
Hopefully, the 250th year for America will see a world that is more peaceful, more just and more free.
On our 100th anniversary, in 1876, citizens from across our Nation came to Philadelphia to celebrate America』s centennial. At that celebration, the country』s builders and artists and inventors showed off their creations.
Alexander Graham Bell displayed his telephone for the first time.
Remington unveiled the first typewriter. An early attempt was made at electric light.
Thomas Edison showed an automatic telegraph and an electric pen.
Imagine the wonders our country could know in America』s 250th year.
Think of the marvels we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams of our people.
Cures to illnesses that have always plagued us are not too much to hope.
American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream.
Millions lifted from welfare to work is not too much to expect.
And streets where mothers are safe from fear — schools where children learn in peace — and jobs where
Americans prosper and grow — are not too much to ask.
When we have all of this, we will have made America greater than ever before. For all Americans.
This is our vision. This is our mission.
But we can only get there together.
We are one people, with one destiny.
We all bleed the same blood.
We all salute the same flag.
And we are all made by the same God.
And when we fulfill this vision; when we celebrate our 250 years of glorious freedom, we will look back on tonight as when this new chapter of American Greatness began.
The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us.
We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts.
The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls.
And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action.
From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears —
inspired by the future, not bound by the failures of the past —
and guided by our vision, not blinded by our doubts.
I am asking all citizens to embrace this Renewal of the American Spirit. I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold and daring things for our country. And I am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment and —
Believe in yourselves.
Believe in your future.
And believe, once more, in America.
Thank you, God bless you, and God Bless these United States. – See more at: http://ift.tt/2maD0kP
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