President Obama is giving his annual State of the Union address to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, proposing new taxes on wealthy Americans to fund education and childcare benefits.
They'll be funded, he says, with a rise in capital gains tax for America's wealthiest - and new fees for large financial firms.
With the US economy improving, Mr. Obama's pushing policies he feels will help the middle class - though it's unclear whether a Congress controlled by the Republicans will be able to pass such measures.
Christina Bellantoni is editor in chief of Capitol Hill newspaper CQ Roll Call. She says it's unsurprisng that the President played heavily on the success of the economy:
IN: This is somebody...
OUT: ...do their part
DUR: 23 seconds
Christina Bellantoni, editor in chief of CQ Roll Call, says she's optimistic about the chances of Democrats and Republicans working together in the next two years:
IN: He is well...
OUT: ...sign for progress
DUR: 20 seconds
Christina Bellantoni is editor in chief of Capitol Hill newspaper CQ Roll Call. She says by this time next year, the race for Mr. Obama's successor will have started so this is his last chance to make a difference:
IN: You have to...
OUT: ...potential for change
DUR: 24 seconds