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6:26 PM PT:
Given how passionate they were about deficit reduction, can only assume GOP stayed seated because they're so overcome with joy #sotu
— @lucasoconnor
6:27 PM PT: Here he's going to launch into the paid sick leave and family leave and childcare policies he's proposing: "It’s time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or a women’s issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that’s why my plan will make quality childcare more available, and more affordable, for every middle-class and low-income family with young children in America – by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year." Good stuff coming up, folks.
6:28 PM PT: "And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November, let’s put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave. It’s the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do."
6:29 PM PT: "Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It’s 2015. It’s time." I like this Obama.
6:29 PM PT: "If you truly believe you could work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, go try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest-working people in America a raise."
6:30 PM PT: (In case you're wondering, Republicans hate paid sick leave, equal pay, child care, and a higher minimum wage. More hand sitting. But you already knew that, huh.)
6:32 PM PT: "By the end of this decade, two in three job openings will require some higher education. Two in three. And yet, we still live in a country where too many bright, striving Americans are priced out of the education they need. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not smart for our future.
That’s why I am sending this Congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college – to zero."
6:32 PM PT: (And yes, the GOP hates community college. Of course, an educated populace is a very bad thing for Republicans.)
6:34 PM PT: Are Republicans going to applaud veterans?
"And as a new generation of veterans comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the American Dream they helped defend. Already, we’ve made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care. We’re slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need, and we’re making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs. Joining Forces, the national campaign launched by Michelle and Jill Biden, has helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses get new jobs. So to every CEO in America, let me repeat: If you want somebody who’s going to get the job done, hire a veteran."
Well, look at that. Boehner had to clap for the veterans.
6:35 PM PT:
Obama: "I intend to protect a free and open internet, extend its reach to every classroom, and every community." Yep. #NetNeutrality #SOTU
— @TimKarr
6:36 PM PT: "21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure – modern ports, stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let’s set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let’s pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than thirty times as many jobs per year, and make this country stronger for decades to come." Oh, they're not gonna clap for that one.
6:39 PM PT: How do Republicans feel about curing diseases? Tepid, at best. Boehner's only clapping because he has to. And he's sure not gonna clap for net neutrality.
6:41 PM PT: "Now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there’s bipartisan support in this chamber. Members of both parties have told me so. Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. As Americans, we don’t mind paying our fair share of taxes, as long as everybody else does, too. But for far too long, lobbyists have rigged the tax code with loopholes that let some corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight. They’ve riddled it with giveaways the superrich don’t need, denying a break to middle class families who do."
6:42 PM PT: (In case you missed it, Republicans do not want to close tax loopholes and invest in America. The hell with infrastructure. They sure aren't getting a workout tonight.)
6:43 PM PT (Barbara Morrill): New thread here.