Joe Biden called on Congress not to wait for the November election to begin to address inequities in economic opportunity and criminal justice that disproportionately affect African Americans and have been the underlying cause of protests sweeping across the U.S.

"No more excuses, no delays,” Biden said in a speech to a small audience at Philadelphia City Hall Tuesday morning.

"The action will not be completed in the first 100 days of my presidency if I’m elected or even my entire term,” he said.