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President Donald Trump steps to the podium to begin his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 30, 2018. Behind Trump are Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
President Donald Trump steps to the podium to begin his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 30, 2018. Behind Trump are Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
USA

Live Blog: State of the Union

update

President Donald Trump is delivering his first State of the Union address. His address is highlighting a strong economy and call for bipartisan action on immigration. The televised speech before a joint session of Congress comes a year after Trump took office and about a week after a three-day government shutdown spawned by a fight over the federal government budget and how to deal with hundreds of thousands of immigrants who years ago came to the country illegally as children.

A view from the U.S. Capitol building looking west over the National Mall, with the Washington monument in the background. Trucks used by television crews are parked near the Capitol, in Washington, Jan. 30, 2018.
A view from the U.S. Capitol building looking west over the National Mall, with the Washington monument in the background. Trucks used by television crews are parked near the Capitol, in Washington, Jan. 30, 2018.

The White House released excerpts from Trump's State of the Union speech (as prepared for delivery) several hours before the congressional address.

Among the excerpts:

• This is our New American Moment. There has never been a better time to start living the American dream.

• Tonight, I want to talk about what kind of future we are going to have, and what kind of nation we are going to be. All of us, together, as one team, one people, and one American family.

• Americans love their country. And they deserve a government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

The White House says tonight’s designated survivor is Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Since all top politicians are usually present for the State of the Union address, the White House names a designated survivor who would take over, in the unfortunate event that an attack kills everyone else in the chain of presidential succession. The designated survivor does not attend the speech.

The White House released excerpts from Trump's State of the Union speech (as prepared for delivery) several hours before the congressional address.

Among the excerpts:

• For the last year we have sought to restore the bonds of trust between our citizens and their government.

• In our drive to make Washington accountable, we have eliminated more regulations in our first year than any administration in history.

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