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.

Live Blog: State of the Union

January 30, 2018 5:16 PM update January 30, 2018 11:23 PM

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.

Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., speaks in support of transgender members of the military, July 26, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Excerpts, as prepared for delivery, from Congressman Joe Kennedy’s Democratic Response to President Trump’s State of the Union.

Some excerpts:

It would be easy to dismiss the past year as chaos. Partisanship. Politics. But it’s far bigger than that. This administration isn’t just targeting the laws that protect us – they are targeting the very idea that we are all worthy of protection.

Democratic female members of Congress, wearing black to support the #MeToo movement and buttons referring to 1944 rape victim Recy Taylor, arrive on the House floor to watch U.S. President Donald Trump deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 30, 2018.

Excerpts, as prepared for delivery, from Congressman Joe Kennedy’s Democratic Response to President Trump’s State of the Union.

Some excerpts:

Bullies may land a punch. They might leave a mark. But they have never, not once, in the history of our United States, managed to match the strength and spirit of a people united in defense of their future.

Politicians can be cheered for the promises they make. Our country will be judged by the promises we keep. That is the measure of our character. That’s who we are.

First lady Melania Trump arrives before the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 30, 2018.

In a break from recent tradition, Donald Trump's wife, Melania Trump, arrived at the Capitol separately from her husband, according to media reports. White House officials played down the significance of the separate travel, however, saying Melania Trump wanted to greet guests beforehand.

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Live Blog: State of the Union