Executive Branch

Text of President Barack Obama's first State of the Union speech on Wednesday, as provided by the White House: OBAMA: Madam Speaker, Vice President Biden, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans: Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the president shall give to Congress information about the state of our union.

WASHINGTON - As he prepares to ask Congress for billions of dollars in new spending for education, President Barack Obama is urging the spread of school reforms across the country.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is offering new ideas meant to help struggling people pay bills and care for their families, aiming to help a middle-class he says has been "under assault for a long time." Obama and Vice President Joe Biden outlined a series of proposals that will be in Obama's budget next month.