President Donald Trump delivered what he called a message of unity and strength to a joint session of Congress and the nation.

Live Blog President Trump's Congressional Address: LIVE Updates

A Health Care Wish List

While not an official State of the Union address, the speech touted what the president called early successes and laid out the blueprint for the president's plans over the next few years.

The speech broke down several points for a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. 

"First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.

"Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts –- but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.

"Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.

"Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance – and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.

"Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines –- creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care."

A Republican framework and other reports that have come out over the last few weeks have led to division in the party.

Conservative party members have a problem, for instance, with plans to use tax credits to help people buy health insurance.

In a meeting with Republican governors Monday, the president talked about plans to turn Medicaid into a block grant program, where the states get federal funding and don't have to abide by rules from Washington. 

In some cases, that might mean plans to go to a voucher system.

There's also talk of plans to move back to high-risk pools for sick Americans, which some states had before the ACA. 

Immigration and defense budget

The president touted plans to re-examine vetting for immigrants and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, which was stopped by the courts.

"It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur," the president said. "Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values."

The president said he wanted immigration reform that traded the current system for a "merit-based system" similar to other countries, where immigrants coming to the country have to show they are able to support themselves. He says that will change the way people come into the country, and will benefit both immigrants and American workers.

The president also said again that they would begin the construction of a "great, great wall along our southern border."

On the budget, the president promised a $54 billion for a build-up of the nation's defense.

"To keep America Safe we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and –- if they must –- to fight and to win," the president said.

The budget increase also does away with defense sequestration, which was put in place has part of an agreement between the president and Congress to end a government shutdown in 2011.

The defense request would come at the expense of other domestic agencies with across the board cuts. Diplomacy and foreign aid programs would also see a reduction in funding.

Guests a spring board for policy

Several people joined First Lady Melania Trump in her box in the gallery for the address.

They included two widows of law enforcement officers killed in 2014 by an undocumented immigrant, along with the father of a teen who was shot by an undocumented immigrant.

The president touted the creation of an office at the Dept. of Homeland Security for the victims of crimes committed by immigrants.

"We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests," Trump said.

Also joining the first lady was Denisha Merriweather, a young woman from Florida. Merriweather used Florida's school voucher program, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, to attend a private school.

She was the first woman in her family to graduate both high school and college.

President Trump has made a dramatic expansion of so-called "school choice" programs a cornerstone of his administration's education policy, and his Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is an outspoken advocate.

The president will be coming to Orlando on Friday for a listening session on school choice. 

Also sitting with the first lady will be Maureen McCarthy Scalia, the widow of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Trump has described his Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, as a proper heir to Scalia's legacy as a conservative jurist.

In a surprise moment, Carryn Owens, widow of Senior Chief William "Ryan" Owens was given a standing ovation by the chamber.

Owens, a member of the Navy SEALS, was killed during a raid in Yemen that took place shortly after Trump was inaugurated. 

The Yemen raid was controversial because President Obama did not greenlight it. Reports indicated not much intel was gleaned from this raid. Moreover, Owens' father refused to meet with President Trump and demanded an investigation. 

I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, "Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies," Trump said in the address. "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity."

Information from the Associated Press and CNN were used in this report.