President Obama State of the Union Recap

President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union address in front of Congress and millions of Americans watching at home on Tuesday night. Obama discussed hot topics such as immigration, the economy, the environment and gun control.

"As Americans, we all share the same proud title: We are citizens." —President Obama: wh.gov/sotu #SOTU twitter.com/whitehouse/sta…

— The White House (@whitehouse) February 13, 2013

Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) told CNN, “Well, in some areas I think he was productive. I thought on comprehensive immigration reform, I thought his words were measured. I think the tone and the words he took were productive on that front.” However, Ryan believed that Obama underplayed the budget deficit.

Ryan and other Republicans seem to be in agreement that immigration, which Obama touched on in his speech, is an issue in which the two parties can work together. Obama called for fast action on the immigration front.

Obama also discussed education at length, where he told Congress that high schools who instill technical education programs will be rewarded. Obama also emphasized the need for accessibility to strong preschool programs for all children.

The president also touched on job creation and said that he would like to raise minimum wage to $9.

Obama pulled at heartstrings when he discussed the Newtown shooting and other recent gun violence tragedies. The president highlighted several victims and stated that their families deserve a vote.

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) told Huffington Post, “The president backed them into a corner and they sat there like they were trying out for stone faces on Mount Rushmore. I loved that. And maybe we'll get those voters."

Obama ended his speech boldly. "It remains the task of us all, as citizens of these United States, to be the authors of the next great chapter in our American story," he said.

Watch the president’s full speech below.