Donald Trump in 2020 State of the Union address
On Free Trade:
Fact-Check: Union support for USMCA was mixed
President Trump said, "The USMCA will create nearly 100,000 new high-paying American auto jobs, and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers, and factory workers.
This is the first major trade deal in many years to earn the strong backing of America's labor unions."Fact -Check:
Support for USMCA among labor unions was mixed. While the AFL-CIO backed the agreement, others did not. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the United Auto Workers all expressed disappointment over the deal.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 4, 2020
On Abortion:
Ban the late-term abortion of babies
In 2017, doctors delivered one of the earliest premature babies ever to survive. Born at just 21 weeks and 6 days, Ellie Schneider was born a fighter. Today, Ellie is a strong, healthy 2-year-old girl. 50% of very premature babies delivered at the
hospital where Ellie was born now survive. That is why I am asking the Congress to provide an additional $50 million to fund neo-natal research. I am calling upon Congress to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Education:
Opportunity Scholarships for 1M trapped in failing schools
[We should make] sure that every young American gets a great education and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Yet, for too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools. To rescue these students, 18 States
have created school choice in the form of Opportunity Scholarships. The programs are so popular, that tens of thousands of students remain on waiting lists. One of those students is Janiyah Davis, a fourth grader from Philadelphia. Last year,
Pennsylvania's Governor vetoed legislation to expand school choice for 50,000 children. Janiyah, I proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available, it is going to you, and you will soon be heading to the school of your
choice!
Now, I call on the Congress to give 1 million American children the same opportunity. Pass the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act--because no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing government school.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Education:
Constitutional right to pray in public schools
My Administration is also defending religious liberty, and that includes the Constitutional right to pray in public schools. In America, we do not punish prayer. We do not tear down crosses. We do not ban symbols of faith.
We do not muzzle preachers and pastors. In America, we celebrate faith. We cherish religion. We lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the Glory of God!
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Fact-Check:US became #1 producer of natural gas in 2009
President Trump said, "Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world, by far. With the tremendous progress we have made over the past 3 years,
America is now energy independent, and energy jobs, like so many elements of our country, are at a record high. We are doing numbers that no one would have thought possible just 3 years ago."Fact -Check:
The U.S energy boom started more than a decade ago, driven by market forces and advanced technology such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. became the world's leading producer
of natural gas in 2009. More recently it surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia in crude oil production. That was helped in part after President Obama signed a bill to lift a 40-year ban on most oil exports.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 4, 2020
On Environment:
Join the United Nations' "One Trillion Trees initiative"
To protect the environment, days ago, I announced that the United States will join the One Trillion Trees Initiative, an ambitious effort to bring together Government and the private sector to plant new trees in America and around the world.
Wikipedia explanation:The Trillion Tree Campaign is a campaign of Plant-for-the-Planet to plant a trillion trees, a development and continuation of the activities of the earlier Billion Tree Campaign from 1977.
The World Economic Forum during 2020, held in Davos, Switzerland announced the creation of the One Trillion Tree Initiative platform made for governments,
businesses, and civil society to provide support to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2020-2030), led by the UN Environment Programme and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Families & Children:
Paid family leave for federal employees
I was recently proud to sign the law providing new parents in the Federal workforce paid family leave, serving as a model for the rest of the country. Now, I call on the Congress to pass the bipartisan Advancing Support for Working Families Act,
extending family leave to mothers and fathers all across the Nation.Congressional Summary: HR.5296 and S.2976: The Advancing Support for Working Families Act allows individual taxpayers an election to advance up to $5,000 of the child
tax credit in the year of birth or adoption of an applicable qualifying child [Status: 13 bipartisan co-sponsors in House and Senate].
FCW.com explanation of Family Leave:
The National Defense Authorization Act included a family leave
amendment by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). The benefit was added in a bit of legislative horse-trading that allowed for the establishment of Space Force. Pres. Trump signed the NDAA on 12/20/2019, in time to avoid a government shutdown on 12/21.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Foreign Policy:
Restore democracy in Cuba & Venezuela
As we restore American leadership throughout the world, we are once again standing up for freedom in our hemisphere. That is why my Administration reversed the failing policies of the previous administration on Cuba. We are supporting the hopes of
Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to restore democracy. The United States is leading a 59-nation diplomatic coalition against the socialist dictator of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro. Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people.
But Maduro's grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken. Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of all Venezuelans. Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate President of Venezuela, Juan Guaido.
Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland. All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom! Socialism destroys nations. But always remember, freedom unifies the soul.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Foreign Policy:
We rebuilt military; America stronger than ever
I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been. Our military is completely rebuilt, with its power being unmatched anywhere in the world--and it is not even close. Our borders are secure.
Our families are flourishing. Our values are renewed. Our pride is restored. And for all these reasons, I say to the people of our great country, and to the Members of Congress before me: The State of our Union is stronger than ever before!
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Free Trade:
Fact-Check:USMCA mostly a cosmetic refreshing of NAFTA
President Trump said, "One of the single biggest promises I made to the American people was to replace the disastrous NAFTA trade deal. I replaced NAFTA and signed the brand new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law. The USMCA will
create nearly 100,000 new high-paying American auto jobs, and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers, and factory workers."Fact -Check: The agreement updates NAFTA, covering things such as digital commerce,
which barely existed when the original deal was signed a quarter-century ago. But despite the president's claims, USMCA is mostly a cosmetic refreshing of NAFTA, not a wholesale replacement. On the whole, the USMCA's economic effects are expected
to be modest. The main benefit of the deal is that it avoids the disruption that would have come had Trump made good on his threat to scrap NAFTA with no replacement.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 4, 2020
On Free Trade:
We said "that's enough" to China & signed new trade deal
I promised that I would impose tariffs to confront China's massive theft of American jobs. We signed the new agreement with China that will defend our workers, protect our intellectual property, bring billions of dollars into our treasury, and open
new markets. They could never believe what they were able to get away with without someone in our country stepping up and saying: Enough. Now, we want to rebuild our country, and that is what we are doing.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Health Care:
Socialist healthcare would take away from 180M patients
I signed an Executive Order requiring price transparency. Transparency will save families massive amounts of money for substantially better care.As we work to improve Americans' healthcare, there are those who want to take away your healthcare,
take away your doctor, and abolish private insurance entirely. One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our healthcare system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million
Americans. To those watching at home tonight, I want you to know: We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare!
If forcing American taxpayers to provide unlimited free healthcare to illegal aliens sounds fair to you, then stand with the
radical left. But if you believe that we should defend American patients and American seniors, then stand with me and pass legislation to prohibit free Government healthcare for illegal aliens!
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Health Care:
Eradicate AIDS epidemic by the end of this decade
We are coordinating with the Chinese government on the Coronavirus outbreak in China. We have launched ambitious new initiatives to substantially improve care for Americans with kidney disease, Alzheimer's, and those struggling with mental health
challenges. And because the Congress funded my request, we are pursuing new cures for childhood cancer, and we will eradicate the AIDS epidemic in America by the end of the decade.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Health Care:
Executive order requiring healthcare price transparency
President Trump said, "The American patient should never be blindsided by medical bills. That is why I signed an Executive Order requiring price transparency. Many experts believe that transparency, which will go into full effect at the beginning of
next year, will be even bigger than healthcare reform. It will save families massive amounts of money for substantially better care."Fact -Check: It's not clear where this timeline comes from--the Department of Health and
Human Services proposed a rule for hospitals and a similar rule for insurers that would require them to reveal their negotiated prices to consumers in an accessible way. But hospitals have already sued to block the first rule,
and the rule for insurers has not been finalized. New practices can take effect only after these legal hurdles have been resolved.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 4, 2020
On Health Care:
Fact-Check: 4,311 drugs had price hike; 619 were lowered
President Trump said, "We have approved a record number of affordable generic drugs, and medicines are being approved by the FDA at a faster clip than ever before. I was pleased to announce last year that, for the first time in 51 years, the cost
of prescription drugs actually went down. I am calling for bipartisan legislation that achieves the goal of dramatically lowering prescription drug prices. Get a bill to my desk, and I will sign it into law without delay."Fact -Check:
In 2019, 4,311 prescription drugs experienced a price hike, with the average increase hovering around 21%, according to data compiled by Rx Savings Solutions, a consulting group. Meanwhile, 619 drugs had price dips. And already in 2020, 2,519 drugs have
increased prices. The average hike so far this year is 6.9%. Meanwhile, the prices of 70 drugs have dropped. When generics post their price increases, the 2020 average price hike will likely go up.
Source: PolitiFact Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 5, 2020
On Homeland Security:
$400B more from NATO members for military expenses
To safeguard American Liberty, we have invested a record-breaking $2.2 trillion in the United States Military. We have purchased the finest planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and every other form of military equipment--all made in the United States of
America. We are also finally getting our allies to help pay their fair share. I have raised contributions from the other NATO members by more than $400 billion, and the number of allies meeting their minimum obligations has more than doubled.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Jobs:
Unemployment at record low, including women & disabled
From the instant I took office, I moved rapidly to revive the United States economy--slashing a record number of job-killing regulations, enacting historic and record-setting tax cuts, and fighting for fair and reciprocal trade agreements.
Since my election, we have created 7 million new jobs--5 million more than Government experts projected during the previous administration.- African-American poverty has declined to the lowest rate ever recorded.
-
The veterans' unemployment rate dropped to a record low.
- The unemployment rate for disabled Americans has reached an all-time low.
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Workers without a high school diploma have achieved the lowest unemployment rate recorded in United States history.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Jobs:
Fact-Check: Job creation has increased, but at lower rate
Trump said, "Under the last administration, over 300,000 working-age people dropped out of the workforce. In just 3 years, 3.5 million working-age people have joined the workforce. Since my election, the net worth of the bottom half of wage-earners has
increased by 47%: 3 times faster than the increase for the top 1%. Wages are rising fastest for low-income workers, who have seen a 16% pay-increase since my election. This is a blue collar boom."Fact -Check: Trump here is mixing
apples and oranges, comparing the labor force participation rate under President Obama with the number of jobs created under his own administration. But they are different numbers. It's true the participation rate fell from 65.7% to 62.9% during Obama's
two terms in office, partly because the population was aging. It has since rebounded this year to 63.2%. But the economy also added 11.6 million jobs during Obama's two terms, and job creation has increased at a slightly slower rate under Trump.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 4, 2020
On Technology:
New roads, bridges & tunnels, plus high-speed rural internet
We must also rebuild America's infrastructure. I ask you to pass Senator Barrasso's highway bill--to invest in new roads, bridges, and tunnels across our land. I am also committed to ensuring that every citizen can have access to high-speed internet,
including rural America.Congressional Summary: S.2302 addresses several provisions related to highway transportation infrastructure, including provisions to accelerate project completions, improve resiliency to disasters, and reduce
highway emissions, [including]:
- a bridge investment program to award competitive grants
- new climate-related grant programs, including for carbon reduction
- expands the flexibility provided out of the Highway Trust Fund; and
- prioritizes
animal detection systems that reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions.
[Legislative status: Introduced by John Barasso (R-WY) on 7/29/19, with 3 bipartisan co-sponsors; Report 1/8/20 to Committee on Environment and Public Works].
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On War & Peace:
Fact-Check: Trump has sent more troops to MidEast
President Trump said, "As we defend American lives, we are working to end America's wars in the Middle East. In Afghanistan, peace talks are underway.
We are working to finally end America's longest war and bring our troops back home!"Fact -Check: Notwithstanding Trump's desire to shrink American commitments in the
Middle East, he has been sending more troops to the region and keeping in place many of those already posted there. Trump also has sent thousands more troops to the region as a hedge against a potential conflict with Iran following the
U.S. killing of its top general and in the aftermath of re-imposed U.S. sanctions.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address
Feb 4, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
7M people off welfare and food stamps
The unemployment rate is the lowest in over half a century. Incredibly, the average unemployment rate under my Administration is lower than any administration in the history of our country. If we had not reversed the failed economic policies of the
previous administration, the world would not now be witness to America's great economic success.The unemployment rates for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Asian-Americans have reached the lowest levels in history.
African-American youth unemployment has reached an all-time low. The unemployment rate for women reached the lowest level in almost 70 years--and last year, women filled 72% of all new jobs added. A record number of young Americans are now employed.
Under the last administration, more than 10 million people were added to the food stamp rolls. Under my Administration, 7 million Americans have come off of food stamps, and 10 million people have been lifted off of welfare.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
Opportunity Zones in 9,000 neglected neighborhoods
Jobs and investment are pouring into 9,000 previously-neglected neighborhoods thanks to Opportunity Zones, a plan spearheaded by Senator Tim Scott as part of our great Republican tax cuts. In other words, wealthy people and companies are
pouring money into poor neighborhoods or areas that have not seen investment in many decades, creating jobs, energy, and excitement. This is the first time that these deserving communities have seen anything like this. It is all working!
Opportunity Zones are helping Americans like Army Veteran Tony Rankins from Cincinnati, Ohio. After struggling with drug addiction, Tony lost his job, his house, and his family--he was homeless. But then Tony found a construction company
that invests in Opportunity Zones. He is now a top tradesman, drug-free, reunited with his family, and he is here tonight. Tony: Keep up the great work.
Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress
Feb 4, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 17, 2023