In his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama outlined his budget and economic goals. In his remarks he urged the nation to remain hopeful as it confronted the economic challenges ahead and outlined recovery plans that included health care reform, revised tax policies to assist those whose incomes were below $250,000 per year, and a new commitment to education. He also spoke about fiscal responsibility and his plan to cut the budget deficit in half by the end of his term. Additionally, he spoke briefly about foreign policy challenges and recognized people in the House Gallery whose stories had inspired him.