7 Things To Know About President Trump's Speech To Congress

President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, speaking before the country's lawmakers in the U.S. Capitol for the first time in the formal setting.

Remarks released before the speech were clearly polished and florid, a sharp contrast with the president's usual off-the-cuff speaking style. Trump appeared to largely stick close to the prepared text, though he included some of his trademark asides and tangents. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Here are seven things to know Trump did in his speech:

1. Called out hate and discrimination

At the beginning of his speech, Trump decried recent threats and vandalism at Jewish community centers and cemeteries, as well as the attack in Kansas against two Indian men that is being investigated as a hate crime.

"We are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its ugly forms," he said.

2. Argued he's keeping his promises

"We will keep our promises to the American people," Trump said. "It has been a little over a month since my inauguration, and I want to take this moment to update the nation on the progress I have made in keeping those promises."

Many companies have announced that they will invest in the United States and create thousands of American jobs since he was elected, he noted. He also pointed out the impressive gains the stock market has produced in recent months.

Trump then took credit for saving taxpayer money by reducing the cost of the F-35 jet, though the Washington Post fact-checker argues that this happened without his involvement.

3. Recognized Ryan Owens

To an extended standing ovation, easily the longest of the night, the president acknowledged the sacrifice of Ryan Owens, a Navy SEAL killed in a recent Yemen raid. Trump cited Defense Secretary Mattis as reporting that the mission was a success and provided vital military intelligence. Carryn Owens, Ryan's wife, who was sitting next to Ivanka Trump, stood during the applause with tears in her eyes.

"Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity," Trump said.

4. Pledged to repeal and replace Obamacare

"Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America," Trump said as he promised once again to repeal and replace Obamacare.

He pledged to lower costs, expand coverage and improve health care by replacing the law. He cited Kentucky and Arizona as states particularly hit hard by rising health care costs.

He listed five pillars of his approach to reforming health care:

• People with pre-existing conditions will continue to be able to get care, and people currently enrolled on health care exchanges will be transitioned to a new system.
• Americans will get a tax credit to purchase health care, and expanded health savings accounts. (Though both of these already exist, and the first is a major plank of Obamacare.)
• Governors will be given the resources and flexibility to make sure no one is left out of Medicaid (an idea that has already been rejected by many Republican governors).
• Legal reforms will be designed to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.
• Americans will be allowed to purchase health insurance across state lines.

He called for Democrats and Republicans to work together on the issue.

5. "Drain the swamp"

When Trump reiterated his pledge to "drain the swamp" — a campaign slogan that targeted Washington, D.C., insiders — portions of the audience seemed to laugh. The laughs were quickly drowned out by applause.

6. Judge Neil Gorsuch

To enthusiastic applause from the Republicans in the audience, Trump reminded viewers that he nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch, who was originally named in his campaign list of 20 potential justices, to serve on the Supreme Court.

"I am asking the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination," he said.

He also drew attention to one of his guests of the night, Maureen Scalia, whose husband Gorsuch would replace.

"Her late, great husband, Antonin Scalia, will forever be a symbol of American justice," Trump said.

7. Calls for infrastructure spending, paid family leave and women's health care

"We’ve spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled," Trump said. "The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding."

As he has many times before, the president promoted the idea of fixing roads, bridges and other components of the national infrastructure in an effort to boost the economy and create jobs.

While this is typically a liberal proposal, Trump indicated that he is likely to pursue the policy in a conservative way. He asked for Congress to "approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States," which could likely take the form of tax incentives for construction companies.

In a likely display of his daughter Ivanka's influence, Trump also pledged to pursue two other priorities that Republicans rarely champion: paid family leave and women's health care.

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Photo credit: Dan Grogan