16.35: That concludes Barack Obama's State of the Union speech. Thanks for following.
16.21: Obama pledges to work with congress to repeal laws preventing gay and lesbians openly serving in the US military.
"It's the right thing to do," says Obama.
16.09: Obama says all America's combat troops will be out of Iraq by August.
"We will support the Iraqi government as they hold elections, and continue to partner with the Iraqi people to promote regional peace and prosperity," Obama said.
"But make no mistake: this war is ending, and all of our troops are coming home."
16.01: As he prepares to ask Congress for billions of dollars in new spending for education, Obama is urging the spread of school reforms across the country. He says a student's success can't depend on where he or she is growing up.
Obama calls on Congress to finish work on a measure to revitalize community colleges. And he called for a $10,000 tax credit to families for four years of college, and an increase in tuition grants.
He also said college students should only have to devote 10 per cent of their post-college income to repaying student loans.
15.54: Obama has proposed several measures to recoup money outlayed to support the economy during the recession, and debts incurred earlier. He says he will propose a freezing cap on all public spending for the next three years, including a cap on military spending.
"I refuse to pass this problem on to another generation," Obama says. The freeze will take effect from 2011.
15.41: Obama announces his desire to push through a comprehensive energy bill in 2010, providing incentives for those developing green clean energy technology.
He also announces a push that will see American businesses doubling their exports within five years, creating a further two million jobs.
15.35: Obama has also implored lawmakers not to abandon his sweeping health care overhaul, and has also taken part of the blame for its near collapse.
In his State of the Union address, the president urged Democrats and Republicans to let temperatures cool and take another look at the legislation that passed the House of Representatives and Senate last year. Obama said his administration and Congress have gotten closer than ever to insuring millions more.
The legislation is stalled in Congress after Democrats lost a Massachusetts Senate seat last week and their supermajority.
Obama said: "Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people."
15.27: Obama says his Govt will take $30b of the money repaid by US banks and give it to community banks to lend to small businesses.
15.24: But he says there are many Americans who can't make ends meet and that is why job creation will be his Govt's top priority for 2010. "And that is why I am calling for a new jobs bill tonight," Obama says.
15.21: He says tax cuts were designed to give the public more money in their pockets and help businesses save jobs during the recession.
15.17: Obama begins by talking about how together his Govt can begin delivering on a promise to help Americans overcome hardship and differences.
He also says, if every one can agree on one thing, it's that everyone hated the bank bailouts. But "it was necessary", he said.
Welcome to live updates of Barack Obama's State of the Union speech. In the speech Obama is expected to announce that gay people will be allowed into the army, while also focusing on jobs and economy.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
Obama's State of the Union speech - latest updates
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