President Trump touts lofty goals, gives few details in speech before joint session of Congress

President Donald Trump is well-known for his rhetoric from the campaign trail to the Oval Office, but Tuesday night he delivered a toned-down speech to a joint session of Congress, according to political observers across the spectrum.

Trump told members he will ask Congress to initiate a $1 trillion infrastructure spending program to be paid through public-private funding sources. The president will also seek one of the largest increases in military spending in U.S. history, and he supports preferences toward high skill immigrant workers, as opposed to low skill immigrant workers. He also made another call on Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare.

How the president intends to pay for these programs is still a mystery. Many of his proposals Tuesday night were high on rhetoric, but lacked specifics.

“I’m here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength,” Trump said.

Arkansas’ Republican Congressional delegation seemed to approve of the president’s message. U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., seemed ready to push Trump’s agenda forward.

“Arkansans supported a new direction for our country in the November election. In his address to Congress, President Trump laid out a vision that seeks to revitalize our economy by pursuing policies that will promote innovation and unite Americans with a common purpose. Whether it be jobs, education, healthcare, infrastructure or national security, our nation is facing serious challenges that will require Congress and the president to collaborate and pursue solutions that will answer these difficult questions. I look forward to working with the president and any of my colleagues who are willing to do the tough work required to meet these challenges and help improve the lives of Arkansans and Americans across the country,” Boozman said.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, said he supports Trumps’s attempts to enforce the nation’s immigration laws, create a more business and worker friendly atmosphere and defeat terror organizations such as ISIS.

“From finally enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, to making it easier for companies to do business domestically and defeating ISIS once and for all, I am excited to work with President Trump to implement his aggressive agenda to make America great again,” Womack noted in a statement.

The president delivered a speech high in nationalistic, economic tones, touting the billions of dollars companies such as Ford and others have promised to invest in worker development in the U.S. He also said the U.S. will continue to support alliances such as NATO, but other members will have to bear more of the burden in terms of blood and treasure. Trump claimed money is “already pouring in” from these allies.

Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear blasted Trump during the Democratic response to the speech. He ridiculed Trump for his tacit support of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, while attacking helpless immigrants. He also blasted Trump for his stance against ADC which has provided healthcare for an estimated 22 million people. Beshear said the president’s constant vilifying of the press, his opponents, and others was below the dignity of his office.

“He’s eroding our Democracy … that’s reckless,” he said.

Emotion grabbed the chamber when Trump turned to Carryn Owens, the widow of slain Navy Seal Ryan Owens. Her husband was killed during a raid in Yemen in late January. The president has been under attack from opponents who claim Ryan Owens died unnecessarily. Trump stated intelligence was collected during the raid, and he gave his life in the service of his country. Democrats and Republicans erupted in cheers to honor her. Trump spoke about her sacrifice.

“We will never forget Ryan,” he said.

There was an audible gasp in the chamber when he announced the Department of Homeland Security will start a new agency, Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement, VOICE. Trump didn’t say exactly what the agency will do, but he said there are many illegal immigrants who commit crimes, and those victims have been ignored. He also used the phrase “Islamic terrorism” even though numerous reports have surfaced that his military advisors have asked him to not use the term.

Trump gave some specifics when it comes to the repeal of ACA. He said he wants a smooth transition for those already in the healthcare exchanges. He supports tax credits to help offset individual costs. State governments should have flexibility when it comes to the use of Medicaid dollars. He also supports the allowing insurance companies to sell insurance across state lines.

“Action is not a choice, it’s a necessity,” he said.

The president has already rolled back regulatory safeguards in the financial sector, and said he plans to remove more regulations. He spoke about cuts to regulations used by the Food and Drug Administration.

Trump revisited several topics he’s touched upon on the campaign trail and since he’s been in office. He said he supports a voucher program for schools, that he plans to redo or replace many trade agreements around the world, and construction on the border wall with Mexico will begin soon. He also said a revised executive order to temporarily restrict immigrants from seven mostly Muslim countries will be unveiled soon. The president also reiterated his intent to decrease corporate sales taxes.

Democrats rarely rose to stand or clap during the more than hour long speech. There was one brief moment of levity. Harley Davidson brought several motorcycles to the White House and the vehicles were displayed on the lawn. Trump was asked a question.

“They asked me if I wanted a ride and I said ‘No thank you,’” the president said to a chorus of laughter.