The President spoke candidly about the progress of the country, and work still remaining.

Tuesday night brought United States President Joe Biden to the House of Representatives for his annual State of the Union address. Despite the changed makeup of Congress after the midterm elections, Biden spoke optimistically about the potential for inter-party work in the name of a better America.

“The people sent us a clear message. Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict, gets us nowhere,” he said. “That’s always been my vision for our country. And I know it’s many of yours. To restore the soul of this nation, to rebuild the backbone of America, the middle class and to unite the country. We’ve been sent here to finish the job.”

One of Biden’s major points in the address was the current state of the middle class and its ongoing difficulties. “So many of you feel like you’ve just been forgotten,” he said.

“Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind or treated like they’re invisible. Maybe that’s you, watching at home. You wonder whether a path even exists anymore for you and your children to get ahead without moving away.”

“I get that,” he assured.

Biden offered assurances that he is working on solutions on problems that are plaguing the everyday citizen, with one highlighted example being “junk fees” from various businesses or the lag on price cap extensions for medication like insulin. Biden acknowledged recent polls from citizens who feel like he hasn’t accomplished anything, pledging that the process is ongoing, even if it runs slowly.