WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden will address a joint session of Congress for the first time on April 28.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited Biden on Tuesday, “to share your vision for facing the challenges and opportunities of this historic moment.” The White House said Biden accepted the invitation.
The speech will come into office just before Biden’s 100th day and will give him an opportunity to update the American public on his progress in delivering on his promises. It also gives him a chance to make a case for the $ 2.3 trillion infrastructure package he unveiled earlier this month that the House plans to pass by July 4.
Traditionally, all members of Congress and guests gather for a joint session in the House, the larger of the two chambers. However, the address will certainly look different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During the pandemic, there were restrictions on social distance, forcing House lawmakers to vote on the ground and keep other matters in smaller groups rather than convening hundreds in the chamber at once. Masks are required and the public visitor galleries, which are usually filled for such an event, have been closed during most of the pandemic.
Details about the Capitol’s preparation for the event were not immediately available.
Presidents do not give a State of the Union address to Congress until their second year in office.