President Biden
Joe Biden Trump: McConnell ‘helpless’ to stop Biden from wrapping up court Biden, first lady sends ‘warm regards’ to Muslims for Ramadan The business case for childcare reform MORE Tuesday is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on April 28, about 100 days after taking office.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi – Against rising odds, Biden seeks GOP support for infrastructure plan Charles Booker launches exploration committee to consider challenge for Rand Paul Top academics knock down Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act MORE (D-Calif.) Invited Biden to include the address in a letter made public earlier that day. The president has accepted the invitation, a White House official confirmed late Tuesday night.
“Nearly 100 days ago, when you took the oath of office, you promised in a spirit of great hope that ‘Help is on the way.’ Now, because of your historical and transformative leadership, Help Is Here!” Pelosi wrote in the letter.
“In that spirit, I invite you to join a Joint Congressional meeting on Wednesday, April 28, to share your vision for facing the challenges and opportunities of this historic moment,” added Pelosi.
Newly inaugurated presidents deliver their first speech to Congress within weeks of taking office, although Biden had not done so so far due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But now that most lawmakers and a growing number of staff have been vaccinated, this is a sign that congressional leaders are more confident about gathering large groups in the Chamber of the House.
Still, Biden’s first appearance for Congress as president won’t look like typical past joint sessions.
Numerous pandemic health precautions will remain in effect. According to a Capitol official involved in the planning, there will be a limited number of MPs and senators in the chamber. Some legislators will also take a seat in the galleries facing the house floor to allow for extra social distance.
Legislators are further prohibited from inviting guests to the address as the visitor galleries are still closed to the public due to the pandemic.
The invitation comes after Biden secures his top legislative priority: a $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid package. He is currently working on an effort to propose an infrastructure proposal, which is expected to be discussed in Congress this summer.
The president met with bipartisan lawmakers from both houses on Monday to discuss his infrastructure proposal. The White House has said it hopes to see progress on the package by Memorial Day, but it remains unclear whether Republicans will ultimately back the plan.
Other priorities Biden could give Congress include the passing of voting rights laws and gun law reforms in the wake of several recent mass shootings.
Updated: 10:21 am