(AP) President Joe Biden exhorted Congress Tuesday night to work with him to “finish the job” of rebuilding the economy and uniting the nation as he delivered a State of the Union address aimed at reassuring a country beset by pessimism and fraught political divisions.

In his 73-minute speech, Biden sought to portray a nation dramatically improved from the one he took charge of two years ago: from a reeling economy to one prosperous with new jobs; from a crippled, pandemic-weary nation to one that has now reopened, and a democracy that has survived its biggest test since the Civil War.

“The story of America is a story of progress and resilience. Of always moving forward. Of never giving up," Biden said. “We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it. That is what we are doing again."

“We’re not finished yet by any stretch of the imagination," he declared.

The backdrop for the annual address was markedly different from the previous two years, with a Republican speaker now sitting expressionless behind Biden and newly empowered GOP lawmakers in the chamber sometimes shouting criticism of him and his administration.

As Biden, 80, prepares for a likely reelection bid, he sought to prove to a skeptical nation that his stewardship has delivered results both at home and abroad. He highlighted record job creation during his tenure as the country has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pointed to areas of bipartisan progress in his first two years in office, including on states’ vital infrastructure projects and high tech manufacturing. And he said, “There is no reason we can’t work together in this new Congress.”

Full details: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/nation-world/bidens-state-of-the-union/507-4d876c7d-21fd-4ab5-b7b0-6591a7b20c1b --

At 3News, we’re not here to tell you the news, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home.

Follow 3News on Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkyc.channel3/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wkyc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkyc3/

Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/

And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app