Biden defends Israel, while saying war has taken a toll on innocent people in Gaza
Biden began speaking about the Israel-Hamas war by saying the crisis started on Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 hostages.
"Here in the chamber tonight are families whose loved ones are still being held by Hamas," said Biden, who pledged to them that his administration won't rest until it brings their loved ones home.
"Israel has a right to go after Hamas," he said, but he added that Hamas could end the conflict today "by releasing the hostages" and laying down arms.
He said Israel's burden is increased because Hamas hides and operates among civilians.
"But Israel also has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza," he said. "This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined."
Since the war started, more than 30,000 people — two-thirds of them women and children — have died in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Biden said his administration has been working "nonstop" to establish an immediate cease-fire that would last for at least six weeks.
He then announced that he's directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza for the delivery of humanitarian aid. He added that no American boots will be on the ground.
Republicans are leaving quickly
Republicans started quickly clearing out of the chamber the moment the speech ended. About a half-dozen left during the speech.
Republicans set a low bar for Biden tonight
Good point here from a longtime GOP pollster: Republicans lowered the bar for Biden so far that they made it simple to clear.
Biden's speech wraps
Biden's address concluded shortly after 10:30 p.m. ET.
He closed with a message looking toward a future for "all Americans." He also reiterated a phrase he frequently concludes his speeches with, saying "nothing" is beyond the U.S.' capacity when Americans work together.
Biden calls out Sen. Lindsey Graham in closing remarks
When the president said, “Let me close with this," he ad-libbed to Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., “I know you don’t want to hear any more, Lindsey, but I got a few more things,” and Biden critic Graham was briefly seen cracking up laughing.
The two used to pal around together every year along with the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Munich Security Forum.
Biden stumbled at times tonight, but he also ad-libbed some, and those remarks have come across as some of the most authentic moments.
Trump posts graphic saying Biden is 'endorsed by Putin'
Trump posted a graphic on Truth Social saying Biden is “endorsed by Putin” — strange since Trump usually boasts about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and compliments him, while here his campaign appears to think that tying Biden to Putin will hurt him.
Biden draws light-hearted cheers in saying speech is almost over
Several lawmakers cheered when Biden said, "Let me close with this," indicating his speech was almost over.
The president jokingly said "yay!" in response.
The “unity agenda” isn’t going to get the same applause it might have gotten when you talk about it after an hour of highly charged partisan rhetoric.
Biden: Only Gaza solution is a two-state solution
Biden repeats his position that the only lasting solution in Gaza is a two-state solution. He says that as a long-standing supporter of Israel, there is no other path for peace in Israel and for Palestinians to live in dignity than the two-state solution. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says no to it — unlike most of his predecessors.)
One hour in, Biden then turns to China and the alliance he has built in the Pacific. The Gaza war disaster took up less than 5 minutes.