(AP) - President Barack Obama says the state of the union is getting stronger, and he says the country has come too far to turn back now.

Obama is delivering an election-year State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and millions of television viewers. He says American values are at stake and must be reclaimed.

Obama says no challenge is more urgent than how to restore the basic American promise that hard work pays off.

Facing determined GOP opposition and a tough economy, Obama is proposing making millionaires pay more in taxes. He's also proposing more relief for homeowners and a crackdown on sending U.S. jobs overseas. He also has tough remarks for a divided Congress, saying lawmakers are part of the problem.WATCH LIVE