Critical Discourse Analysis is a powerful tool in linguistic studies for dissecting theintricate relationship between language, power, and ideology, particularly in presidential politica
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Based on the rationale and aim, the research shall focus on dealing with these questions.
1 What ideologies are represented in Biden’s speech?
2 How are they realized discursively ?
The study primarily employs Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theoretical framework to investigate Biden's ideology and power as conveyed through his language use Within qualitative analysis, CDA proves to be a valuable tool for delving into text and uncovering underlying meanings Additionally, the study will incorporate the transitivity system and modality system from Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) as complementary theories to bolster the CDA approach in every analytical phase, including description, interpretation, and explanation By integrating SFL, the research aims to shed light on the experiential and interpersonal meanings conveyed through choices of process types, participant roles, and the use of modal verbs evident in each ideology and its realization.
To comprehend the speech's core message, this study will focus on three prominent themes: the American Rescue Plan, American Job Plan, and American Family Plan These themes convey critical messages and serve as the foundation for the speech's analysis While the additional themes of Global Issues and the Affordable Care Act are relevant for a comprehensive understanding, they play a secondary role in shaping the speech's overarching narrative.
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This research in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) aims to reveal the underlying ideology and power dynamics within Biden’s discourse, employing Fairclough’s three-stage analytical model along with Halliday’s transitivity and modality system. Given the limited existing CDA research on Biden, this study presents an opportunity to investigate how his ideology and power are conveyed through his political speeches By doing so, it can expand the dataset for CDA analysis, providing a basis for further research and recommendations Additionally, this research seeks to enhance our understanding of using CDA to uncover the implications of power and ideology inherent in socio-political interactions.
The thesis comprises five chapters with different functions, but they are all linked together to make a unified body of work, a unified story.
Chapter 1, “Introduction”, includes the rationale, the aims and objectives, the research questions, the scope of the study, the significance of the study and organization of the study.
Chapter 2, “Literature Review”, presents the previous study related to the paper, gives a statement of the importance of this thesis and some theoretical backgrounds of the study.
Chapter 3 “Methodology” describes research design, the method, research procedure, data collection, and data analysis This chapter is a foundation step to produce some findings in the chapter next to it.
Chapter 4 “Findings and discussions” will explain what we can discover after the analysis based on the theoretical framework.
Chapter 5: “Conclusions”, is one important chapter to summarize main findings of the research upon the rationale, aims, and research questions This chapter will also provide overall conclusions about the findings, about the approach In addition, some limitations and suggestions shall be provided to help other researchers conduct a better new paper.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEOERY - 5c cScsce+ 4 2.1 Political disCOULSE an ốc ố ố Ầ
Transitivity and modality SVSf€IH .- 5 5s 11th 7 1 Transitivity Systems as a Framework of Experiential Meaning
Halliday's systematic functional linguistics serves as a foundational theory for a critical discourse approach, employed to analyze text due to the significant role of systematic functional grammar in interpreting linguistic expressions critically across various discourses (Fairclough, 2015: 44) In fact, the systematic functional linguistic (SFL) model is frequently used as a tool for text analysis.
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) views language as a system for expressing meaning This model provides speakers with numerous grammatical options within clauses, which influence the intended message SFL aligns with Bloor & Bloor's (2013) findings, recognizing language as a combination of systems offering limitless options for creating meaning As Halliday suggests, the clause is a fundamental unit of language, simultaneously conveying experiential, interpersonal, and textual meanings through distinct systems.
Meta-function | Clause as | System Structure
Textual Message THEME Theme ^ Rheme
Interpersonal | Exchange MOOD Mood [Subject + Finite] +
Experiential representation | TRANSITIVITY | Process + participant(s) (+ circumstance), e.g., Process + Actor + Goal
Halliday identifies three interrelated meanings that function within the clause: (a) the experiential meta-function, representing human experience and corresponding to the clause as a representation; (b) the interpersonal meta-function, enacting personal and social relationships and corresponding to the clause as an exchange; and (c) the textual meta-function, relating to the discursive flow of the text and corresponding to the clause as a message (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014).
In the scope of this research, two systems employed to realize these functions are (1) transitivity, which contributes to conveying experiential meaning in the speech, and
(2) modality, which serves as a tool to reveal the relationship between Biden, the speaker, and his audience, including the Congress.
2.3.1 Transitivity Systems as a Framework of Experiential Meaning
The ideational meaning (the clause as representation) serves for the expression of
“content” in language, that is, our experience of the real world, including the experience of our inner world When language is used it is often used it to speak of something or someone doing something That is why the ideational meaning can be referred to as experiential meaning coming from the clause as representation. Transitivity system according to Halliday (1985:101-102) refers to the experiences of language structures as semantic arrangements comprising process types,participants, and circumstantial elements Transitivity, thus, relates to how meanings are expressed in the clause and how processes are manifested in language (Simpson, 2004:22).
These experiences are expressed through six processes including material, mental, relational, verbal, existential and behavioral processes.
Material processes of transitivity are processes of doing, usually physical and tangible actions Halliday calls them action clauses expressing the fact that something or someone undertakes some action, or some entity “does” something — which may be done to some other entity These processes can be probed by asking what did x do? Two essential participants usually appear in material process are the Actor — the doer of the process — and the Goal — the person or entity affected by the process Example: Mary (actor) / liked (material process) / the gift (goal)
Mental process is known as process of sensing, perception (hearing), affection(loving), cognition(knowing) It refers to the process of remembering, feeling, thinking, seeing, hearing, knowing, and other mental actions that involve the use of the mind There are two participants, namely: Senser and Phenomenon An analysis of the mental process with regards to the issue of themes stated in this paper is important because through mental clauses that the speaker presents his opinion, perception, cognition, feeling on each matter.
Example (perception): We (sensor) / heard (mental process) / the belt (phenomenon); Relational process is concerned with being It is a process of being It can be differentiated into three types: Attributive process (going to be, seem sound, turn etc.) with Carrier, process intensive and attribute participants, identifying process (must be, represent etc.) with Token and Value participants and Possessive process (has, have etc.) with Possessor and Possessed participants According to Halliday and Simpson, these processes are key grammatical tools for classifying, assessing, identifying, and evaluating people, concepts, or objects (Halliday, 2004:214; Simpson, 2004:25-26).
Example (attribute): The baby (carrier) / turn (Rel Pr.) / into a pig (attribute)
Example (identifying): That one (identified) must be (Rel Pr.) you (identifier)
Example (ownership): Sarah (possessor) has (Rel Pr.) a pet (possessed)
Verbal Process (between mental & relational process) is known as process of “saying”
Example: John (sayer) / said: (Pr.) / “I am hungry” (quoted).
Behavioral processes bridge the gap between physical actions and mental processes They involve conscious actions, such as breathing, dreaming, laughing, and crying These processes typically have a single participant known as the Behaver, who actively engages in the action.
If there is any second participant, it will be called as Behaviors.
Example: She (behaver) / cried (process) “I’m lost” (target)
Existential process (between relational & material process) which prove states of being, existing, and happening Existential processes typically employ the verb be or its synonyms such as exist, arise, occur The only participant in this process is Existent which follows the “there is /are” sequences.
Example: Today there is (pr existing) /an UFO flying across the town (existent).
2.3.2 Modality System as A Framework of Interpersonal Meaning
The interpersonal meaning helps to establish and maintain social relations; the individual is identified and reinforced in this aspect by enabling him or her to interact with others by expression of their own individuality Our role relationships with other people and our attitudes towards others are often expressed by interpersonal meaning. Modality, as a linguistic device, allows speakers and writers to express their attitudes towards themselves, their interlocutors, their subject matter, their social and economic relationships, and the actions they perform through language such as ordering, accusing, promising, and leading (Fowler and Kress, 1979; Halliday, 2014). Halliday views modality as key to understanding the interpersonal function of language, which focuses on how language builds and maintains relationships and social roles Analyzing modality reveals how speakers negotiate power dynamics,
10 express degrees of formality, and manage interpersonal interactions through their language choices For Halliday, modality refers to a crucial semantic area that deals with the speaker's degree of commitment to the truth or probability of an utterance It goes beyond simply expressing facts and delves into how speakers convey their stance, attitude, and judgment about the information they are presenting Halliday categorizes modality into two main types.
Probability or usuality of a| Obligation, permission, or
Focus proposition (statement or | inclination towards a proposal question) (command or offer)
Epistemic vs | Concerned with knowledge and | Concerned with obligation and
Deontic belief (epistemic modality) desirability (deontic modality)
,„ | Expresses the speaker's control Expresses the speaker's
Speaker's " over the behavior of others and judgment of the validity of a ; ; stance express speaker's attitude or statement stance
Modal auxiliaries (may, might, | Modal auxiliaries (must, should, can, could, must, should), | ought to, need to, have to, can, adverbs (possibly, probably, | could, may, might), adverbs Realization man usually), adjectives (likely, | (necessarily, obligatorily, certain), verbs (think, believe, | willingly), verbs (require, seem) permit, allow)
(Expresses obligation) Two main types of modalities, epistemic modality, and deontic modality were chosen for the analysis in this study Probability is referred to as ‘epistemic’ modality (from Greek episteme, for ‘knowledge’) and obligation as ‘deontic’ modality (from Greek Deon, for ‘what is binding’) (Halliday: 2014, 692) In additional to modal verbs, modality can be also presented in mode of adverbs.
According to evidence According to a set reasoning, beliefs, doubts of rules or desires
Figure 2.1: Classification of modality Epistemic Modality, a subset of linguistic modality, focuses on a speaker's assessment or evaluation of the knowledge underlying a proposition, including their degree of confidence or belief in that knowledge In simpler terms, epistemic modality reflects the ways in which speakers convey their doubts, certainties, and
" assumptions — their "modes of knowing." From a more technical standpoint, epistemic modality can be defined as an evaluation of the likelihood of a particular hypothetical state of affairs (or some aspect of it) occurring, being in progress, or having occurred within a possible world that serves as the context for the evaluation process Kreidler (1998: 241) notes that epistemic modality deals with the possibility, probability, or impossibility of a certain proposition Following examples talk about possibility or probability, whereas sentences (9) and (10) talk about impossibility or improbability.
Example: She may be in her office (It is possible that she is in her office.)
Example: Ask father He might know (It is possible that father knows.)
In Halliday’s SFL, probability is referred to as ‘epistemic’ modality (from Greek episteme, for ‘knowledge’) (Halliday, 2014: 692).
Therefore, the Epistemic Modality can be classified and illustrated in this table.
Epistemic sub-category Modal verb
Probability may, might, can, could, will, would Possibility
Fairclough’s CDA approach 1
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is considered as the popular theoretical and analytical framework for political discourse CDA views language not just as a tool for communication, but as an active social force It argues that language shapes and is shaped by social practices, particularly how power structures are built and maintained through words and their usage (Fairclough, 1995, 2010, 2015) CDA emerged from critical linguistics in the 1970s, and prominent scholars like Norman Fairclough have developed various models for analyzing texts through this lens.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) involves Fairclough's analytical model, which delineates three stages The first, description, examines linguistic features to uncover ideologies and power structures The interpretation stage analyzes linguistic patterns within social and political contexts, revealing how language supports or challenges power dynamics Finally, the explanation stage explores the implications of these findings, demonstrating how discourse influences and is influenced by social practices.
Additionally, this study is firmly grounded in Norman Fairclough's (1989, 2001, 2015) approach to Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which positions language as a critical component in shaping, maintaining, and transforming social power dynamics. Fairclough's inquiry extends beyond understanding how language operates in everyday interactions to investigating how it constructs identities and how it represents ideologies and power structures He views language as an inseparable element of society, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between the two On the one hand, language shapes society through the way people communicate in socially conditioned manners, and their communication carries social implications in both conscious and private spheres On the other hand, language is shaped by society as it is embedded within the social process.
According to Fairclough (2015: 58-59), text analysis is just one part of discourse analysis The diagram below identified text, interaction, and social context as three elements of a discourse, and the corresponding distinction drawn between three stages of critical discourse analysis: description of text, interpretation of the relationship between text and interaction, and explanation of the relationship between interaction and social context This is a three-layered method of doing Critical Discourse Analysis.
E Interpretation (processing analysts) Process of interpretation | ae
Socto-cultural practice (Sihantianal; institutional: societal)
EÍtieision$ of diacauwse [WNie1trROY of discoenrse (rtfys1s
Figure 2.2: Discourse as text, interaction, and context
In details, the main approach of this research is to use CDA theoretical framework of Fairclough which adopts 3 stages of Critical Discourse Analysis based on three dimensions (text, interaction or discursive practice, context or social practice) of discourse.
Stage 1: Description is the stage which is concerned with formal properties of the text The dimension of this stage is text This dimension examines the features of the text itself, including vocabulary, grammar, cohesion, text structure and how ideas are represented.
Stage 2: Interpretation is concerned with the relationship between text and interaction or discursive practice - with seeing the text as the product of a process of production, and as a resource in the process of interpretation The dimension of this stage is discursive practice This dimension examines how the text is produced, distributed, and consumed It looks at how texts are constructed in particular social contexts and how they are interpreted by audiences It involves analyzing the intertextuality and interdiscursivity of texts, meaning how texts draw on and contribute to other texts and discourses.
Stage 3: Explanation is concerned with the relationship between interaction and social context - with the social determination of the processes of production and interpretation, and their social effects The dimension of this stage is social practice. This dimension explores the broader social and cultural structures, institutions, and
20 processes that shape and are shaped by discursive practices It connects the micro- level analysis of texts and discursive practices to macro-level social practices and structures, such as power relations, ideologies, and social identities.
Related Studies ccc ố ố e
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) research, drawing upon Fairclough’s theoretical framework, has shed light on the intricate relationship between language, power, and social structures By dissecting diverse texts and social practices, ranging from political speeches to media representations, CDA scholars have uncovered how language can be used to construct and maintain dominance, perpetuate inequalities, and shape our understanding of the world Many scholars use CDA as an important tool in revealing the politician’s ideologies and power hidden behind the language of political discourse.
Drawing upon Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework (text, discourse practice, and social practice), the study of Mohammad Mohammadi employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to unveil the ideological underpinnings of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential acceptance speech Examining the speech as a representative sample of his campaign rhetoric, the research analyzes the interplay of experiential, relational, and expressive meanings embedded in his vocabulary, metaphors, and grammatical choices By uncovering linguistic traces of power dynamics and strategic messaging, the study aims to illuminate the relationship between Trump’s language and his political ideology While intended to provoke critical thinking and analytical skills in English language learners, the findings also hold potential for enriching the understanding of persuasive discourse and its role in shaping political landscapes.
Based on Fairclough’s three-layered method of CDA, the research of Ali Hassan analyzes Trump’s 2017 inaugural speech using Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, focusing on its linguistic features (microstructure) and social implications (macrostructure) Hassan finds Trump employs vivid language, emphasizes the future through frequent use of the future tense, and creatively repeats key phrases to
21 reinforce his vision Notably, his utilization of “we” fosters a sense of unity and his preference for active voice encourages audience engagement In essence, Hassan argues that Trump’s speech reveals a deliberate strategy for shaping both public perception and social participation.
Wenchen conducted research of "A Critical Discourse Analysis of Donald Trump's Inaugural Speech" (2018) under a perspective of Systemic Functional Grammar (SFL) to dissect the complexities of Trump's language The analysis reveals how Trump utilizes specific grammatical choices, like material and relational processes, to project an image of resolution and control Additionally, heavy reliance on first-person pronouns and high modality fosters a sense of intimacy and certainty, while simple vocabulary and syntax enhance accessibility This study ultimately argues that Trump's seemingly straightforward speech deploys sophisticated linguistic maneuvers to establish authority and shape audience perceptions, highlighting the intricate link between language, ideology, and political power.
Ali's research employs Ruth Wodak's Discourse Historical Model to analyze Donald Trump's 2017 Inaugural Address, considering both descriptive and explanatory elements Lexical and syntactic analyses uncover the influence of power dynamics, historical norms, ideological constraints, and American values in shaping the discourse This approach, leveraging Wodak's model, uniquely positions the address within historical and power contexts, providing insights into the construction of meaning and the interplay of language and social forces.
Drawing on Socio-cognitive Approach (SCA), Ines Ghachem in “A Sociocognitive Approach to Agency Framing in David Cameron's 2010 Pre-election Discourse” investigates how David Cameron constructs agency in his pre-election speeches to win votes and define a Conservative ideology Combining Van Dijk's sociocognitive framework with Systemic Functional Linguistics, the study analyzes personal pronouns, transitivity patterns, and nominalization as discourse structures revealing
22 social representations Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, Ghachem finds Cameron builds collective agency by interacting with the audience on shared knowledge and attitudes, showcasing both the cognitive dimension of discourse and its role in shaping society This research contributes to understanding how political leaders utilize language to frame agency for electoral gain and ideological consolidation.
Mainly using the ten-question model the study conducted by Luu Quy Khuong (2019) offers a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of English electronic news reports (EENRs) focusing on environmental sustainability This type of analysis, as outlined by Fairclough's three-dimensional framework, delves into the lexical, grammatical, and textual features of 69 EENRs collected from the UN News website The researchers sought to identify the distinctive discourse features within these reports, such as vocabulary usage, modes of sentences, relational modality, and textual cohesion The qualitative method employed in the research provided a descriptive analysis, complemented by a quantitative approach to determine the frequency of key words and grammatical elements By applying CDA at three stages - Description, Interpretation, and Explanation - the study reveals the ideological underpinnings and power dynamics inherent in the language used by journalists This analysis not only uncovers the linguistic characteristics of EENRs but also sheds light on the broader implications of their textual structure in shaping perceptions and understanding of environmental sustainability issues within the public sphere The findings are intended to be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in language and journalism fields, providing insights into the nuanced features of this specific type of discourse.
In conclusion, one point is that these studies on political discourse, despite employing a common Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework, reveal the multifaceted nature of analyzing political rhetoric through diverse theoretical lenses While Farrcloughs three-dimensional model serves as a _ foundational structure, incorporating perspectives like Fairclough’s model itself, Systemic Functional
Grammar (SFG), Discourse Historical Analysis (DHA), and Socio-cognitive Approach (SCA) enriches our understanding of how linguistic choices reflect and shape political ideology, power dynamics, and audience engagement The other point can be that most researchers pay much attention to popular political figures like Trump, Cameron, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton However, few studies attempted to study how Biden represents his ideologies and power through his official speech to Congress and People Particularly, this is the first public address before a joint session with a lot of proposals and messages Therefore, the study of how Biden’s ideologies and power dynamic are represented is a gap for this study The applicable theoretical framework which is considered for this CDA research is Fairclough’s three-stage model through the perspective of transitivity and modality of Halliday’s. 2.7 Chapter summary
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) investigates how political discourse shapes power dynamics, using linguistic frameworks such as Systemic Functional Linguistics and Fairclough's three-dimensional approach CDA analyzes transitivity to understand the experiential meaning of discourse and modality to reveal the speaker's stance Additionally, it examines ideology as a factor in shaping power structures A literature review suggests a research gap in CDA studies on hidden ideologies in Biden's speech, especially his first address to Congress.
24 necessary theoretical framework to critically analyze political discourse through the lens of CDA.
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To choose the data, the technique of purposive (deliberate) sampling was used. Biden's Announcement Speech, which is a written document that was gathered from websites, serves as the study's source of information Data for the research is President Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress 2021 comprises a length of 20 pages with 7946 words This speech was delivered on Wednesday, April 28,
2021, in House Chamber, United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
President Biden addressed the 117th United States Congress in the House of Representatives Chamber, marking his first public address to a joint session The joint session was presided over by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first time two women and two Californians held these respective positions This historic moment occurred as Pelosi and Harris sat behind President Biden on the rostrum during the address.
Website: https:/www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202 1/04/2S/transcript-biden- joint-session-congress/ congress-3
This speech data is selected because it is It was Biden’s first public address before a joint session which report actual achievements just right after his inauguration with a lot of commitments The address mainly reports the results which the administration has completed till now and outlines the next plans recover America Those plans are American Rescue Plan, American Jobs Plan, American Families Plan In addition, many actions are to be taken to deal with global issues like justice reforms, diplomatic policies.
President Biden's first address to Congress on April 28, 2021, was not technically a State of the Union, but rather a joint address marking his 100th day in office, inheriting a country reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic devastation His message was one of resilience and hope He acknowledged the nation's challenges — the pandemic, economic crisis, attack on democracy, and facing political division and tensions abroad — but highlighted progress made in vaccinating the nation, creating jobs, restoring faith in government, and particularly touting early successes like job creation and pandemic relief He emphasized national unity, bipartisanship, and American exceptionalism, calling for collaboration to rebuild the middle class, invest in infrastructure and education, healthcare, and win the 21st century In essence, it was a rallying cry for national renewal, urging Americans to
28 move forward together from crisis to opportunity President Biden presented a comprehensive vision and a hopeful message for economic recovery, and America's revitalization in his first speech to Congress His ambitious plans spanned from job creation and infrastructure upgrades to police reform, gun control, and scientific breakthroughs like cancer research.
In response to President Biden's inaugural address, numerous experts have shared their insights and provided a scoring range for the potential evaluation of Biden's speech.
Errol Louis, a seasoned political commentator, and host of "Inside City Hall" on NY1, offered insightful praise for President Joe Biden's 2021 address, giving it a grade of A- Louis's analysis highlights Biden's adept handling of key issues, such as celebrating the Covid vaccine milestone and strategically pitching the infrastructure plan By emphasizing themes of hope and truth, and by specifically targeting independent and working-class voters with promises of good-paying jobs, Biden showcased a politically savvy approach Louis's positive assessment of the speech as
"focused, sharp, and brilliant" underscores the significance of Biden's efforts to not only address pressing national challenges but also to win back support from crucial voter demographics.
Another view from Nicole Hemmer, an associate research scholar at Columbia University and co-host of history podcasts such as "Past Present" and "This Day in Esoteric Political History," she offered a thoughtful analysis of President Biden's first address in 2021 In her assessment, she emphasized the significance of the powerful visuals during the speech, including the historic presence of two women in the line of succession behind Biden Hemmer noted Biden's framing of the American Jobs Plan as a "blue-collar blueprint to build America," highlighting his call to raise taxes on corporations and top earners to "reward work, not wealth." While acknowledging that policy-heavy speeches like Biden's are not typically rousing, Hemmer commended the President for articulating a bold, progressive vision clearly Ultimately, she
29 awarded the speech a grade of B+, recognizing its delivery and the tone it set for the next phase of Biden's presidency.
While Errol Louis and Nicole Hemmer rated Biden with high score, Republican strategist Scott Jennings delivered a critical assessment, awarding Biden a Grade D in his analysis of President Joe Biden's first address to Congress on April 28, 2021. Jennings, known for his sharp political insights, highlighted what he saw as Biden's progressive leanings and criticized the president for what he perceived as dishonesty in Biden's portrayal of the economic situation inherited from the previous administration Jennings particularly took issue with Biden's approach to COVID relief and infrastructure spending, arguing that it excessively favored liberal programs over traditional infrastructure needs While acknowledging Biden's heartfelt remarks on cancer research, Jennings ultimately held the president to his own standard, emphasizing the importance of presidential integrity.
Fairclough’s (1989, 2001, 2015) CDA is used in this research as a main theoretical framework The approach uses the three stages of analysis (description, interpretation, explanation) to seek the ideology of speakers beyond the surface of text which is the product of socio-culturally interaction process Alongside Fairclough's model, Halliday's (1994, 2004, 2014) SFL framework will be utilized as an additional theory, offering linguistic tools for analysis on the micro-linguistic level such as investigating transitivity patterns, and modality choices These systems are selected because they may provide experiential and interpersonal meanings which facilitate analysis of when ideologies.
As addressed in research method and research design, a qualitative approach based on Fairclough’s three-tier model of description, interpretation and explanation shall be applied Therefore, the study is descriptive as it focused on both micro and macro discourse analysis At the micro-level, analysis is based on the description of the linguistic choices resident in the selected excerpts or clauses Similarly, it also involved interpretation of the identified linguistic choices At the macro-level, the
30 explanation stage is conducted to justify how the ideologies are established under the context of speech and by what means of language how ideologies are realized discursively.
These are detailed stages of procedure.
Firstly, the stage in Fairclough's model involves a meticulous description of the language found within a given discourse Here, researchers meticulously catalog the linguistic elements present, including vocabulary, grammar, style, and broader discourse structures The focus is on a thorough documentation of these features without yet delving into their deeper connotations or societal implications By identifying patterns and regularities in the language, this stage sets the groundwork for subsequent analyses, providing a comprehensive overview of the textual landscape.
The description stage concentrates on identifying the formal linguistic features present in a text These features are then labeled in accordance with the descriptive framework In the course of this description, the researcher takes a position similar to that of the participants but uses an explicit interpretive framework (Fairclough, 2015: 129).
The description stage will also adopt a series of questions which are suggested by Fairclough as a guideline to a certain extent to thoroughly describe the language used in the discourse (Fairclough, 2015: 129-130) Ten questions are considered as a guideline since there is a certain overlap with systemic functional linguistics in terms of experiential, expressive and relational aspect These questions help researchers analyze the text at a surface level, focusing on its linguistic features However, not all questions or sub-questions may be applicable in the actual analysis if the data is unavailable or irrelevant to the research objectives and questions It is also important to note that Questions 9 and 10 will be intentionally excluded from the analysis.
Question 1: What experiential values do words have?
(1) What classification schemes are drawn upon?
(2) Are there words which are ideologically contested?
(3) Is there rewording or overwording ?
(4) What ideologically significant meaning relations (synonymy, hyponymy, antonymy) are there between words?
Question 2: What relational values do words have?
(2) Are there markedly formal or informal words?
Question 3: What expressive values do words have?
Question 4: What metaphors are used? (*)
Question 5: What experiential values grammatical features do have?
(1) What types of processes and participants predominate ?
(3) Are processes what they seem?
(5) Are sentences active or passive? (*)
(6) Are sentences positive or negative? (*)
Question 6: What relational values do grammatical features have? (Relational modality, authority of one participant over others)
(1) What modes (declarative, grammatical question, imperative) are used? (*)
(2) Are there important features of relational modality?
(3) Are the pronouns we, and you used, and if so, how?
Question 7: What expressive values do grammatical features have? (Expressive modality, speaker’s authority with respect to the probability)
(1) Are there important features of expressive modality?
Question 8: How are (simple) sentences linked together? (*)
(1) What logical connectors are used?
(2) Are complex sentences characterized by coordination or subordination?
(3) What means are used for referring inside and outside the text?
Interpretation in discourse analysis involves exploring the relationship between text and interaction, delving into the meanings and functions of linguistic elements Researchers examine how language choices contribute to social meanings, power dynamics, and ideologies, unveiling how power is exercised and ideologies are perpetuated through discourse This stage draws upon participants' ideological, social, and cognitive backgrounds, considering intertextual and situational context, discourse types, variation among participants, and changes over time By analyzing linguistic aspects including vocabulary, grammar, and discourse features, interpretation aims to uncover the nuanced layers of meaning within a text.
Thirdly, explanation stage is concerned with the relationship between interaction and social context - with the social determination of the processes of production and interpretation, and their social effects (Fairclough, 2015: 59) This final stage of Fairclough's model involves providing a broader explanation of the social significance and implications embedded within the discourse Researchers seek to answer pivotal questions surrounding the motivations behind particular language choices, who benefits from these choices, and how they contribute to broader societal structures and power dynamics This stage transcends the immediate text, requiring an exploration of the social context, historical background, and institutional settings that both influence and are influenced by the discourse By linking the analysis back to theories of power, ideology, and discourse, researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of how the analyzed discourse shapes and is shaped by the broader social fabric, offering valuable insights into its role within society The objective of the stage of explanation is to portray discourse as part of a social process, as a social practice, showing how it is determined by social structures, and what reproductive effects discourses can cumulatively have on those structures, sustaining them or changing them This helps to bring out covert ideologies invisible to lay interpretation as it avails a broader base upon which individual communicative events can be placed and upon which their meanings can be drawn These bases relate to: (a) the interplay between social structures and discourse This perspective views discourse not just as individual acts of communication but as part of a broader social process Oppositely, discourse is determined by the larger social structures in place These structures can include things like gender norms, racial hierarchies, economic systems, and political ideologies (b) reproductive effects that discourses have on structures as in whether they change or sustain them Discourse can have cumulative effects on social structures It can either sustain existing structures by reinforcing the status quo, or it can challenge and change those structures by introducing new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS .Ặ He 35 4.1 ái nh 6
Biden’s ideologies and their realization via transitivity and modality
Overall, Biden's address presents a moderate, optimistic vision for the future that emphasizes unity, progress, and American exceptionalism While employing inclusive language and narratives of shared struggle, the underlying ideology leans
36 towards neoliberal values and prioritizes national security and economic growth within the existing system The details of ideologies are reflected through the main themes which are stated within his address.
Ideologies will be explained based on the description of text, interpretation, and statics tables including Frequency of process type and Frequency of agent Some general ideology of the speech and specific ideologies represented through each Biden’s plan shall be explained.
The first ideology of Biden is the call for action This is an important implication from Biden because in the current situation of America, actions are required to recover the country The implied idea can be found based on a sum of process types. The Table | shows that there are six process types with total 844 processes in which material process show the majority with 315 process types (37%), followed by Behavioral process with 200 process types (24%) and Relational process with 190 process types (23%) Other remaining processes are mental, verbal, and existential with 11%, 4% and 2% respectively.
Table 4.1 Frequency of process types in the selected text
Rescue Families countin | Total count in five Process Jobs Plan
Plan Plan three themes theme theme theme themes
According to Halliday's theory, material processes involve physical and tangible actions used for doing Biden's frequent use of material processes (37%) suggests his willingness to take decisive action on pressing issues like employment, healthcare, and global crises By employing material processes, Biden emphasizes the need for direct actions that impact individuals or entities to effect change Despite the potential discomfort of this direct communication style, the cooperative principles he adheres to convey his clear intentions While the material processes themselves may not be explicitly understood, they evoke a sense of authority and purpose in the speaker's message.
Material process is “1s delivering” It is an action of providing foods to People.
Clause 114 Actor Pr Material Goal Circ. food and|to millions of
Example the rescue plan | is delivering nutrition Americans facing assistance hunger.
Material process is “are providing” It is an action of aiding People.
Clause 116 Actor Pr Material Goal Circ. are also | rental
Material process is “are providing”, it is an action of uniting two parties.
Clause 316 Actor Pr Material | Goal Circ.
Example If (we) put a bipartisan committee | together
While Material process aims at the physical action, the modality expresses the speaker’s judgement or attitude toward events and interlocutors In fact, the modality can be used with any process type, but when it is used with material process, it will make the process much more reinforced The following tables shall represent additional meanings for this ideology.
The table of “Frequency of modals in the selected text” shows that the modal verb
“will” is used the most with 21 counts and it is followed by the modal verb “can” with the 14 counts Additional modal verbs can be seen in the table.
Table 4.2 Frequency of modals in the selected text
Theme Rescue Plan Families Plan theme Plan theme theme Total count in three themes Modal verb Frequency of Frequency of Frequency of
The frequency of modality is also classified based on their sub-categories to distinguish between modality of Epistemic and Deontic According to the table, the category of Probability/Possibility accounted for the highest frequency with 36 counts and followed by category of Desirability and Obligation category with the count 10 and 4 respectively.
Table 4.3 Frequency of modality by sub-category in the selected text.
Sub-category | Modal verb Jobs Plan 1n Modality
Plan Plan theme three theme theme themes may, might,
must, have to 0 2 2 4 Deontic Necessity ơ (should)
Permission may, can 0 0 0 0 Deontic ơ (must) must - Prohibition 0 0 0 0 Deontic not
Given the higher frequency of modal verbs of possibility/probability (Epistemic) in both tables, it can be inferred that Biden's plans are heavily framed in terms of what's achievable In particular, the dominance of the auxiliary of “will” indicates the highest degree of probability of the planned actions Thereby, Biden implies that he shows high certainty about promoting his policies The following example is an illustration of material process which refers to an action “provided” Biden mainly calls for action through his address, but he also uses different modalities to express his certainty in his actions The modal verb of “will” represents the highest degree of possibility (Celce-Muria and Larsen-Freeman 1999: 143), so the goal he sets is highly probably achieved.
Clause 45 | Actor Pr Material Goal Circ.
40 will have | over 220 million|in those hundred Example we ; provided Covid shots days
In addition, the modal verb category of desirability is also the second most used This shows that Biden expresses his intentions, willingness, and efforts in acting these new policies An example of material process is characterized to make clearer.
Clause 44 | Actor | Pr Material Goal Circ.
100 million Covid-19 vaccine Example | we would get in 100 days, shots into people’s arms
In the example, the main action is “get” and the goal of action is “100 million Covid-
19 vaccine shots” which is one of the most urgent requests related to Covid 29 Pandemic in American at the time The modality of “would” which reinforces the material process is used to represent the volition and desire of agent “we”.
The second general ideology is the call for collective collaboration of all people The visible image of America politics is the competition between two big parties which are Republics and Democratics These parties always argue against one another to gain certain political advantages However, Biden shows his concern of the country separation That’s why he demonstrates his implication of uniting two parties and increase collaboration by word choices, grammatical feature which are reinforced by transitivity analysis The solidary is more than the unity of two parties Republic and Democratic Solidarity is required within all American people to take collective responsibility and collective efforts in acting against the American problems The Table 2 is about the frequency of agent in subject position or actor used in processes to see participant roles, particularly the role of speaker And the position of speaker in utterances and the role of the speaker in utterances may also reflect his social position and roles in social orders which may implicitly represent his power on people.
Table 4.4 Frequency of personal pronoun Pronoun agent Total count of frequency Percentage
The table shows how the role of speaker is represented An important finding is that
The pronouns "we" and "TI" played a dominant role in the text, accounting for 69% of the total pronoun usage "We" occurred 209 times (43%), while "TI" appeared 125 times (26%) This frequent use of these two pronouns suggests significant implications for their usage within the specific context of the text.
Obviously, the agency “I may represent certain implications It may imply that Biden takes his role as a decider, or as a person who experiences in general The following example of transitivity will be used to express experimental meanings and the experiencer is “[”.
Clause 44 | Actor | Pr Material Goal Circ. we would get 100 million Covid-19
Example I promised ; ; vaccine shots into people’s arms The pronoun “I” may also imply Biden’s role and power in Congress through his discourse In this example, Biden represents his superior authority in relation to others.
Clause 165 Sensor Pr Mental Phenomenon
Example I know it will get done.
However, the dominance of agent “we” is the main discussion in this part The use of pronoun “We” is considered as a good tactic in communication, in building relationship between participants because when this pronoun is adopted, it will make a good connection between speaker and hearer It makes hearer feel that speaker and hearer are in the same side and one country To be a president, American people may
42 feel that President Biden and People are all together acting, owning the action to resolve American concurrent problems The excerpt below will help justifying the point.
Except (clause 41) Together, we passed the American Rescue Plan, one of the most consequential rescue packages in American history We’re already seeing the results.
Material process can be captured in the following example.
" Actor Pr Material | Goal Circ. the American Rescue Plan, one of
Together, Example passed the most consequential rescue ma packages in American history we
CONCLUSIONS 000 ec cececcssceecsesseesseesecseseeesaeesecnesesessesessaseaeeaes 71 5.1 Main findings 0
Implications 1n
Fairclough's analytical framework guided the research, which aimed to unravel Biden's ideologies and power dynamics Despite its qualitative nature, the study yielded anticipated results due to its rigorous design and analysis Through critical discourse analysis, the research provided valuable insights into Biden's beliefs and the underlying power structures that shape his presidency.
Critical Discourse Analysis offered a lens to explore the intricate relationships between language, ideology, and power It presented a robust methodology to scrutinize not only Biden's speeches but also public political discourse more broadly. Fairclough's theoretical framework, paired with the transitivity and modality system as supporting tools, proved effective for this analysis Thus, it is recommended as an approach for CDA researchers delving into the discourse of politicians to uncover underlying ideologies and power dynamics.
In the realm of education, teachers can employ this CDA approach, leveraging Fairclough's three dimensions and supplementary theory of Halliday’s systemic functional grammar (SFG) to cultivate critical language awareness among students when dissecting communicative events.
Limitation and suggestion for further researCH .- - - s + + + + k+E+svkEseeeeeeeeereee 78
This study has some limitations.
The first limitation is that according to the scope of the research, the analysis results helped answering the research rationale and research questions, but due to limited time, the analysis process only focused on three main themes and prominent examples to justify the main argument of each issue, so some themes like “immigration” of the speech are omitted from the research In case, 100% of all themes are taken into account, the comprehensive picture of ideas may be reflected.
The second limitation is that the results of the analysis of Biden's ideology and power are interpreted by the researcher based on text analysis, speaker-listener interactions, and the context of the speech However, there is no real synthesis of reactions, reviews, and attitudes of listeners through news channels and social networks Therefore, there is no objective view of the listener's perspective from social reality.
Upon the limitations, these suggestions are respectively recommended.
The first suggestion could be that researchers may expand the scope of research and spend more time to study even minor themes embedded in speaker’s discourse.
Authors may include omitted themes like immigration, nuclear, cybersecurity to get a more comprehensive picture of Biden's ideology and the speech's message This will provide a richer understanding of how his various stances interrelate and contribute to his overall worldview For existing themes, instead of only focusing on three main themes with limited examples, it can delve deeper into each theme by including more examples and exploring various nuanced aspects This will reveal a more intricate understanding of Biden's position on each issue An additional remark is that researchers may analyze other speeches of Biden before and after this one to identify continuities and shifts in his ideology over time This will provide insights into his development as a politician and the evolution of his political stances.
The second suggestion is that in addition to the researcher's textual analysis, interpretation, and explanation, the researcher should also collect listeners’ reactions to the speech to avoid bias and objectivity in research Some tips are recommended for this matter Researchers can analyze news coverage, social media reactions, and public opinion polls to get a sense of how different audiences received the speech.
This will offer a more balanced understanding of how Biden's message resonated with various groups of people Also, researchers can utilize diverse research methods, employing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, such as discourse analysis, interviews, and surveys, to gather a wider range of perspectives and data. This will help to triangulate your findings and ensure a more comprehensive and credible analysis.
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Speech transcripts: President Biden’s first address to US Congress 2021
CP m Ơỉ é FY DY ơ —- ơ = +> WY NY C
Thank you Thank you, thank you, thank you It’s good to be back.
As Mitch and Chuck will understand, it’s good to be almost home, down the hall Anyway, thank you all.
Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President.
No president has ever said those words from this podium.
No president has ever said those words And it’s about time (APPLAUSE)
The first lady, I’m her husband.
Members of the United States Congress and the cabinet, distinguished guests.
While the setting tonight is familiar,
this gathering is just a little bit different.
A reminder of the extraordinary times we’re in.
Throughout our history, presidents have come to this chamber to speak to Congress, to the nation and to the world.
To declare war, to celebrate peace, to announce new plans and possibilities.
Tonight, I come to talk about crisis and opportunity About rebuilding the nation, revitalizing our democracy, and winning the future for America.
I stand here tonight one-day shy of the 100th day of my administration.
A hundred days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible and inherited a nation — we all did — that was in crisis The worst pandemic in a century The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.
Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation,
America is on the move again (APPLAUSE)
Turning peril into possibility, crisis into opportunity,
We all know life can knock us down.
But in America, we never, ever, ever stay down.
Today, that’s what we’re doing.
Choosing hope over fear, truth over lies and light over darkness.
After 100 days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for a takeoff, in my view.
We’re working again, dreaming again, discovering again and leading the world again.
We have shown each other and the world that there’s no quit in America None.
One hundred days ago, America’s house was on fire.
Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer and the overwhelming support of the American people — Democrats, Independents and Republicans — we did act.
Together, we passed the American Rescue Plan, one of the most consequential rescue packages in American history.
We’re already seeing the results (APPLAUSE)
We’re already seeing the results (APPLAUSE)
After I promised we would get 100 million Covid-19 vaccine shots into people’s arms in 100 days, we will have provided over 220 million Covid shots in those hundred days, (APPLAUSE) thanks to all the help of all of you (APPLAUSE)
We’re marshaling with your help, everyone’s help, we’re marshaling every federal resource.
We’ ve gotten vaccinations to nearly 40,000 pharmacies and over 700 community health centers. where the poorest of the poor can be reached.
We’re setting up community vaccination sites, developing mobile units to get to hard-to-reach communities.
Today, 90 percent of Americans now live within five miles of a vaccination site.
Everyone over the age of 16, everyone, is now eligible to get vaccinated right now, right away.
Go and get the vaccination.
You re eligible now (APPLAUSE)
When I was sworn in on Jan 20, less than | percent of the seniors in America were fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
One hundred days later, 70 percent of seniors in America over 65 are protected, fully protected.
Senior deaths from Covid-19 are down 80 percent since January, down 80 percent, because of all of you.
And more than half of all the adults in America have gotten at least one shot.
The mass vaccination center in Glendale, Ariz., I asked the nurse,
She looked at me, she said, “It’s like every shot is giving a dose of hope” was her phrase, a dose of hope.
A dose of hope for an educator in Florida, who has a child suffering from an autoimmune disease, wrote to me, said she’s worried — that she was worried about bringing the virus home.
She said she then got vaccinated at a large site, in her car.
She said she sat in her car when she got vaccinated and just cried, cried out of joy, and cried out of relief.
Parents seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, for those who are able to go back to school because the teachers and the school bus drivers and the cafeteria workers have been vaccinated.
Grandparents, hugging their children and grandchildren, instead of pressing hands against the window to say goodbye.
79 there’s still — you all know it,
80 you know it better than any group of Americans —
81 there’s still more work to do to beat this virus.
82 We can’t let our guard down.
84 because of you, the American people, our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history has been one of the greatest logistical achievements, logistical achievements
85 this country has ever seen.
86 What else have we done in those first 100 days?
87 We kept our commitment, Democrats and Republicans, of sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85 percent of American households.
88 We’ve already sent more than 160 million checks out the door.
92 For many people, it’s making all the difference in the world.
93 A single mom in Texas who wrote me,
97 the relief check put food on the table
98 and saved her and her son from eviction from their apartment.
99 A grandmother in Virginia who told me
100 she immediately took her granddaughter to the eye doctor,
102 she put off for months
103 because she didn’t have the money.
104 One of the defining images, at least from my perspective, in this crisis has been cars lined up, cars lined up for miles.
105 And not people just barely able to start those cars.
106 Nice cars, lined up for miles,
133. waiting for a box of food to be put in their trunk.
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t ever think
I would see that in America.
And all of this is through no fault of their own.
No fault of their own, these people are in this position.
That’s why the rescue plan is delivering food and nutrition assistance to millions of Americans facing hunger.
And hunger is down sharply already.
We’re also providing rental assistance — you all know this, but the American people,
I want to make sure they understand.
Keeping people from being evicted from their homes.
Providing loans to small businesses that reopen and keep their employees on the job.
During these hundred days, an additional 800,000 Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act when I established a special sign-up period to do that — 800,000 in that period.
We’re making one of the largest one-time-ever investments, ever, in improving health care for veterans.
Critical investments to address the opioid crisis.
And maybe most importantly, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we’re on track to cut child poverty in America in half this year.
And in the process, while this is all going on, the economy created more than 1,300,000 new jobs in 100 days More jobs in the first (APPLAUSE) — more jobs in the first 100 days than any president on record.
The International Monetary Fund — the International Monetary Fund is now estimating our economy will grow at a rate of more than 6 percent this year.
That will be the fastest pace of economic growth in this country in nearly four decades. America’s moving, moving forward.
But we can’t stop now.
We’re in competition with China and other countries to win the 21st century.
We’re at a great inflection point in history.
We have to do more than just build back better — than just build back, we have to build back better.
We have to compete more strenuously than we have.
Throughout our history, if you think about it, public investment in infrastructure has literally transformed America, our attitudes as well as our opportunities.
The transcontinental railroad, interstate highways, united two oceans and brought a totally new age of progress to the United States of America.
Universal public schools and college aid opened wide the doors of opportunity.
Scientific breakthroughs took us to the moon.
Now we’re on Mars, discovering vaccines, gave us the internet and so much more.
These are investments we made together as one country.
And investments that only the government was in a position to make.
Time and again, they propel us into the future.
That’s why I propose the American Jobs Plan, a once-in-a-generation investment in America itself.
This is the largest jobs plan since World War II.
It creates jobs to upgrade our transportation infrastructure.
Jobs modernizing our roads, bridges, highways.
Jobs building ports and airports, rail corridors, transit lines.
And today, up to 10 million homes in America and more than 400,000 schools and child care centers have pipes with lead in them, including drinking water, a clear and present danger to our children’s health.
The American Jobs Plan creates jobs replacing 100 percent of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines so every American can drink clean water (APPLAUSE)
In the process it will create thousands and thousands of good-paying jobs.
It creates jobs connecting every American with high-speed internet, including 35 percent of the rural America that still doesn’t have it.
This is going to help our kids and our businesses succeed in the 21st century economy. And I’m asking the vice president to lead this effort, if she would, because I know it will get done.
It creates jobs, building a modern power grid.
Our grids are vulnerable to storms, hacks, catastrophic failures — with tragic results, as we saw in Texas and elsewhere during the winter storms.
The American Jobs Plan will create jobs that lay thousands of miles of transmission lines needed to build a resilient and fully clean grid.
We can do that (APPLAUSE) Look, the American Jobs Plan will help millions of people get back to their jobs and back to their careers.
Two million women have dropped out of the work force during this pandemic Two million.
And too often, because they couldn’t get the care they needed to care for their child or care for an elderly parent who needs help;
800,000 families are on the Medicare waiting list right now to get home care for their aging parent or loved one with disability.
If you think it’s not important, check out in your own district, Democrat or Republican Democrat or Republican voters.
Their great concern, almost as much as the children, is taking care of an elderly loved one who can’t be left alone.
Medicaid contemplated it, but this plan is going to help those families and create jobs for our caregivers with better wages and better benefits, continuing a cycle of growth.
For too long we’ve failed to use the most important word when it comes to meeting the climate crisis: Jobs Jobs Jobs.
For me, when I think climate change,
The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction workers to work building more energy efficient buildings and homes.
Electrical workers, L.B.E.W members, installing 500,000 charging stations along our highways
So we can own the electric car market.
Farmers, farmers planting cover crops so they can reduce the carbon dioxide in the air and get paid for doing it (APPLAUSE)
There is simply no reason why the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing.
No reason None No reason.
So folks, there’s no reason why Americans — American workers can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries.
They’ re best-trained people in the world.
The American Jobs Plan is going to create millions of good-paying jobs,
201 jobs Americans can raise a family on.
As my dad would then say, with a little breathing room.
And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan will be guided by one principle:
And I might note parenthetically, that does not violate any trade agreement.
It’s been the law since the ’30s, buy American.
American tax dollars are going to be used to buy American products, made in America, to create American jobs.
That’s the way it’s supposed to be, and it will be in this administration.
And I made it clear to all my cabinet people,
239. their ability to give exemptions has been strenuously limited.
It will be American products.
Now, I know some of you at home are wondering whether these jobs are for you.
So many of you, so many of the folks I grew up with, feel left behind, forgotten, in an economy that’s so rapidly changing — it’s frightening.
I want to speak directly to you, because if you think about it, that’s what people are most worried about.
Independent experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars to economic growth in the years to come.
It is an eight-year program.
These are good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced.
Nearly 90 percent of the infrastructure jobs created in the American Jobs Plan do not require a college degree.
Seventy-five percent don’t require an associate’s degree.
The American Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build America.
And I recognize something I’ve always said, in this chamber and the other, good guys and women on Wall Street. But Wall Street didn’t build this country.
The middle class built the country.
And unions built the middle class.
So that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protect the Right to Organize Act, the PRO Act, and send it to my desk so we can support the right to unionize.
And by the way, while you’re thinking about sending things to my desk, let’s raise the minimum wage to $15.
No one, no one working 40 hours a week, no one working 40 hours a week should live below the poverty line.
We need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for women.
And while we’re doing this, let’s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk as well Equal pay.
It’s been much too long.
And if you wonder whether it’s been too long, look behind me.
And finally, the American Jobs Plan will be the biggest increase in nondefense research and development on record.
We'll see more technological change — and some of you know more about this than I do — we’ll see more technological change this the next 10 years than we saw in the last 50.
That’s how rapidly artificial intelligence, and so much more, is changing.
And we’re falling behind the competition with the rest of the world.
Decades ago, we used to invest 2 percent of our gross domestic product in America, 2 percent of our gross domestic product in research and development.
Today, Mr Secretary, that’s less than 1 percent.
China and other countries are closing in fast.
We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future. Advanced batteries, biotechnology, computer chips, clean energy.
The secretary of defense can tell you — and those of you who work in national security issues know, the defense department has an agency called DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
The people who set up before I came here — and that’s been a long time ago — to develop breakthroughs that enhance our national security That’s their only job.
And it’s a semi-separate agency, it’s under the Defense Department.
It’s led to everything from the discovery of the internet to GPS and so much more.
The National Institutes of Health, the N.I.H, I believe, should create a similar advanced research projects agency for health.
And that would — here’s what it would do:
It would have a singular purpose, to develop breakthroughs to prevent, detect and treat diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer.
Pll still never forget when we passed the cancer proposal in the last year as vice president, almost $9 million going to N.I.H.
You'll excuse the point of personal privilege.
IH never forget you standing, Mitch, and saying, name it after my deceased son.
But so many of us have deceased sons, daughters and relatives who died of cancer.
I can think of no more worthy investment.
I know of nothing that is more bipartisan.
So let’s end cancer as we know it.
It’s within our power to do it.
Investments in jobs and infrastructure like the ones we’re talking about, have often had bipartisan support in the past.
Vice President Harris and I meet regularly in the Oval Office with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the jobs plan.
And I applaud a group of Republican senators who just put forward their own proposal.
So let’s get to work.
I wanted to lay out, before the Congress, my plan, before we go to into the deep discussions.
I would like to meet with those who have ideas that are different, that they think are better.
But the rest of the world is not waiting for us.
I just want to be clear, from my perspective, doing nothing is not an option.
Look, we can’t be so busy competing with one another
319. that we forget the competition that we have with the rest of the world to win the 21st century.
Secretary Blinken can tell you,
I spent a lot of time with President Xi — traveled over 17,000 miles with him, spent over 24 hours in private discussions with him.
When he called congratulate, we had a two-hour discussion.
He’s deadly earnest on becoming the most significant, consequential nation in the world.
He and others, autocrats, think that democracy can’t compete in the 21st century with autocracies, because it takes too long to get consensus.
To win that competition for the future, in my view, we also need to make a once-in-a- generation investment in our families and our children.
(AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN) That’s why I introduced the American Families Plan tonight, which addresses four of the biggest challenges facing American families and, in turn, America.
First is access to good education.
This nation made 12 years of public education universal in the last century.
It made us the best-educated, best-prepared nation in the world.
I believe, the overwhelming reason that propelled us to where we got in the 20th century.
But the world’s caught up, or catching up.