WASHINGTON — President Obama addressed jobs, the dependence of foreign oil, the Affordable Care Act, the end of the Afghanistan war, and the rebound of the housing industry. And that was just the opening of his 2014 State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

“I believe this can be a breakthrough year in America,” he said to applause. “I want to make this a year of action.”

Obama said he wants to focus on creating new jobs, not new crises. He stressed that he’s ready to work with Congress on job creation and passing comprehensive immigration reform.

“After four years of economic growth, corporate growth and stock prices have rarely been higher. Those at the top have never been better,” said Obama. “But average wages have barely budged. Inequality has deepened, and upward mobility has stalled. Even in the midst of the recovery, too many Americans are working more than ever just to get by, let alone get ahead. Our job is to reverse these trends.”

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, praised the speech for highlighting the middle class.

“I thought it was the best speech he’s ever given,” said Trumka in an interview after the speech. “The President went back to his roots, talking about the middle class and job creation. All points important to the middle class, he hit.”

Obama also addressed the minimum wage, with the news he will issue an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to federal contractors, affecting 250,000 workers.

“No one who works full time should ever have to raise a family in poverty,” said Obama. He said upping the minimum wage will ease financial stress, boost morale and be good for the economy.

He also called on Congress to finish transportation and waterways bills this summer. Obama said he would slash the permitting process for key construction projects “So we can get more construction workers on the job as fast as possible.”

The President also said it’s time to “Heed the call of business, labor, law enforcement and faith leaders to fix our broken immigration system.”

“The Senate has acted. I know both parties in the House want to do the same. Let’s get it done this year,” he said.
Congressman Bill Foster released a statement criticizing Republicans in Congress for inaction.

“I was pleased to hear the President’s call to action. Too many critical issues have fallen by the wayside because Congress has failed to act- unemployment insurance, raising the minimum wage, commonsense gun control laws and comprehensive immigration reform. It’s time for Congress to get to work.”

Obama also called for Congress to reform unemployment insurance, after restoring insurance that just expired for 1.6 million out work American people, as well as “Fixing an upside down tax code that keeps the wealthy safe but does nothing for middle Americans.”

“It should be the power of a vote, not the size of a bank account that drives democracy,” said Obama.

American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees President Lee Saunders praised Obama on putting income inequality at the forefront.

“Too often, opportunity comes with an inadequate wage for those who are unemployed and that exacerbates income inequality in our nation. Earlier today the President took the first step to address this issue by raising the minimum wage for new government contract workers through executive order.

“Now, Congress must heed his call and we must raise the minimum wage so that all Americans may live and prosper, not live in poverty,” said Saunders.

“When unions are strong, all workers benefit. Sadly, the nationwide attacks on collective bargaining persist, as deep-pocketed, anti-worker forces systematically target unions. Their efforts to undo collective bargaining weaken all workers.”

Mary Kay Henry, president, Service Employees International Union said the quest to a fair wage starts with the President and Congress, but also falls on the shoulders of business leaders.

“While raising these wages is a good start, it won’t solve the problem by itself. The best way for workers to thrive is by bargaining with their employers for better wages and a shot at a better future,” said Henry.

“However, it should not fall only on the President and Congress to make sure workers earn a decent wage. Our business leaders have a responsibility to help close the growing income gap, especially in an era of record profits.”