1. Obama said he is not going to wait for Congress’ approval to take action and begin work on his agenda. He plans on using the full extent of his presidential authority to expand opportunities for Americans.
2. Instead of attempting to fix the turmoil and gridlocked mess in Washington, Obama promised alternative ways to create change. “America does not stand still,” said Obama, “and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”
3. Obama promised to try to close the large income gap in the U.S. by raising the minimum wage for federal contractors to $10.10 per hour with an executive order in the coming weeks. He also said he planned to create a new government-backed private retirement savings plan that would be an option to those whose jobs don’t provide a traditional retirement savings program.
4. The president encouraged Congress to get immigration reform done this year, mentioning that bipartisan groups in both the House and the Senate are currently working to draft reform bills. “I will sign it right away.” pledged Obama. “And America will be better for it.”
5. After a short story about a woman named Amanda who benefitted from the Affordable Care Act, Obama praised his new health care program and addressed Congress saying, “I know that the American people aren’t interested in refighting old battles. So again, if you have specific plans to cut costs, cover more people, increase choice, tell America what you’d do differently. Let’s see if the numbers add up. But let’s not have another 40-something votes to repeal a law that’s already helping millions of Americans like Amanda. The first 40 were plenty.” Basically, the act already passed, and if Congress can’t come up with something better, it shouldn’t criticize the act any more.
6. In terms of foreign policy, Obama talked about the U.S. military’s withdrawal from the long war in Afghanistan, stating that in the next year 34,000 troops will return home from Afghanistan. However he said the country will continue to keep a small number troops for anti-terrorist operations and to train Afghan troops.
7. Obama takes a huge step forward for women’s equality stating, “Today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong and in 2014 it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work.” At one point in the speech he even declared that there should be no more “Mad Men” workplace policies, referencing the popular television drama set in the 1960s, and promised to get women the opportunities they deserve.
