In his first speech to Congress, President Donald Trump asked for unity to produce more jobs, protect Americans and improve education. Trump said he would continue to remove undocumented immigrants who commit crimes from the United States. But for the first time, Trump said he is ready to negotiate a plan that would give legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants. “I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation’s security, and to restore respect for our laws,” he said. In his first 40 days as president, Trump has been a divisive president. He has used Twitter to criticize the news media and U.S. intelligence agencies for reporting information critical of him and his administration. He has also put in place a ban on travel to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority nations. The ban was blocked by the courts and criticized by most Democrats. In his speech, Trump said America cannot accept immigrants from countries where it is difficult to check for terrorism connections. “We have seen the attacks in France, in Belgium, in Germany and all over the world,” Trump said. “It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.” He talked about his presidential campaign, which ended with his surprise victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton last November. “The people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first … because only then, can we truly make America great again,” Trump said. Keeping his promises “Above all else," Trump said, “we will keep our promises to the American people.” One promise he quickly carried out was to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal connecting 13 nations. His call Tuesday to repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s national health care plan, known as Obamacare, received the night’s loudest cheers from Republican members of Congress. The speech became emotional when the president introduced the widow of a Navy seal killed last month in a raid in Yemen. Carryn Owens cried and took deep breaths as members of Congress and others in the crowded House chamber offered a long-standing ovation to honor her husband, William "Ryan" Owens. Trump said Owens "laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom — we will never forget him." He said the raid produced large amounts of important intelligence. The president said he wants Congress to cut taxes on business and “hardworking” Americans, make work easier for parents raising children. Trump said he would work with Democrats and Republicans to give new parents paid family leave from their jobs, and for new investments in women’s health. Trump also called for a major change in how America decides which immigrants to admit to the United States. "It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially,” Trump said. “Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon." The president also said he wants to protect the environment -- providing clean air and clean water. Democrats, though, criticized his action earlier Tuesday to start pulling back an Obama administration rule that makes small bodies of water subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act. On foreign affairs On foreign affairs, Trump said “America is willing to find new friends and develop new partnerships” to deal with world problems. During the campaign, Trump said he would try to work with Russia to end the deadly military conflict in Syria and defeat Islamic State militants. But reports that Russia worked to leak embarrassing information about Trump’s presidential opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, led to calls for investigations by Democrats and some Republicans. In his speech, Trump spoke about his plan to increase military spending and fight terrorism. “As promised, I directed the department of defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS, a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians and men women and children of all faiths and beliefs,” Trump said. He used the term “radical Islamic terrorism” to describe the terrorism problem, a term his new national security adviser said is not helpful to fighting the terrorist threat. Reactions to Trump’s speech Republicans welcomed Trump to the U.S. Capitol, where Congress meets. “He’s really focused on doing the things that he ran on,” said Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana. “He’s focused on creating jobs.” Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear gave the Democratic response following Trump’s address. “When the president attacks the loyalty and credibility of our intelligence agencies, the court system, the military, the free press and individual Americans – simply because he doesn’t like what they say – he is eroding our democracy,” Beshear said. Trump began his speech by talking about bomb threats called into Jewish schools and centers, destruction at two Jewish cemeteries and the shooting of two Indian immigrants. The attacks “remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms,” Trump said. Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story commit - v. to do something that is illegal or harmful positive - adj. good or useful focus - n. a subject that is being discussed or studied restore - v. to bring back compassionate - adj. feeling or showing concern for someone vetting - n. checking carefully the backgrounds and records of people crucial - adj. very important ovation - n. loud cheers erode - v. taking away cemetery - n. where people are buried after death condemn - v. to offer sharp criticism
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