In a powerful display of populism, President Joe Biden delivered a stirring address Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress, extolling a nation on the rise and urging lawmakers to finish the job for the American people.

An energized Biden spoke expansively about a broad array of issues, from Covid-19 relief to criminal justice reform, pointing out landmark accomplishments and calling for additional progress—all while positioning himself as the champion of the average American.

"The theme of tonight's address was 'building back better,' and Joe Biden was very clear in his assignment to Congress — 'finish the job,'" ABC News political director Rick Klein said.

The address was, by all accounts, the strongest of Biden's presidency, particularly in its unifying message. He spoke of the tragedy of gun violence, reflecting on the killing of Tyre Nichols by the Memphis police and quoting his mother's words: "