2021 Joe Biden speech to a joint session of Congress

Last updated

2021 Joe Biden speech to a joint session of Congress
Full video of the speech as published by the White House
DateApril 28, 2021 (2021-04-28)
Time9:00 p.m. EDT
Duration1 hour, 5 minutes
VenueHouse Chamber, United States Capitol
Location Washington, D.C.
Coordinates 38°53′19.8″N77°00′32.8″W / 38.888833°N 77.009111°W / 38.888833; -77.009111
TypeUnofficial State of the Union Address
Participants Joe Biden
Kamala Harris
Nancy Pelosi
Previous 2020 State of the Union Address
Next 2022 State of the Union Address

Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States, addressed a joint session of the United States Congress on April 28, 2021, the eve of his 100th day in office. It was his first public address before a joint session. [1] Similar to a State of the Union Address, it was delivered before the 117th United States Congress in the Chamber of the House of Representatives in the United States Capitol. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Kamala Harris, the vice president in her capacity as the president of the Senate—the first time two women and two Californians presided over an address to Congress, seated on the rostrum behind the president. [2]

Contents

Background

Speaker Pelosi invited Biden to address a joint session on April 13, 2021, asking him to "share [his] vision for addressing the challenges and opportunities" of the time. [2] Biden delivered his speech on the 99th day of his presidency amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, campaign to vaccinate Americans, ratification of the American Rescue Plan, Democratic efforts to advance legislation on infrastructure, [3] guns, social justice, and voting rights, [4] Derek Chauvin's conviction in the murder of George Floyd, [5] and planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. [6]

Security and public health measures

The joint session was designated a National Special Security Event due to an ongoing security threat to Congress that began with the storming of the Capitol in January 2021. [1] Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, face covering requirements and social distancing were used to protect attendees, and members of Congress were not allowed to invite guests, breaking with tradition. [1] [2] Measures were coordinated by the House Sergeant of Arms and Attending Physician. [7] A limited number of members of Congress were in attendance; overall, 200 people were gathered in the House Chamber. [8] No designated survivor was chosen because Cabinet members watched the address remotely. [9]

Speech

Biden's address centered on his plans to expand the size and scope of the federal government to create blue-collar jobs, raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, reduce economic inequality, and invest in early childhood education, community colleges, infrastructure, research, and technology in the fight against climate change. [10] He cited the COVID-19 economic recovery and vaccination campaign as successes during his first 100 days in office.

Biden used the word "jobs" 43 times during the speech. [10] He proposed the American Families Plan, a US$1.8 trillion package that includes new spending on child care, education, and paid leave. [11] He asserted that autocratic adversaries, such as Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, see political divisiveness among Americans as "proof that the sun is setting on American democracy" and that America is "too riven by hostility to effectively govern." [10] On racial justice, he declared that Congress should pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, to eliminate systemic racism in housing, education and public health. [10] Biden declared that the "forever war in Afghanistan" will end with the withdrawal of U.S. forces. [10]

Response

Republican Party

Republican Senator Tim Scott delivered the party's formal rebuttal to Biden's joint address to Congress. [12]

Working Families Party

Rep. Jamaal Bowman delivered the progressive response to Biden's joint address to Congress. [13]

Viewership

Biden's speech, total cable and network viewers

NetworkViewers
ABC 4,025,000
MSNBC 3,941,000
NBC 3,542,000
CBS 3,367,000
CNN 3,180,000
FNC 2,920,000
Fox 1,630,000

Scott's response, total cable and network viewers

NetworkViewers
FNC 3,197,000
ABC 2,897,000
MSNBC 2,725,000
NBC 2,469,000
CBS 2,311,000
CNN 2,080,000

  Broadcast networks   Cable news networks

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State of the Union</span> Annual report by the president of the United States

The State of the Union Address is an annual message delivered by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress near the beginning of most calendar years on the current condition of the nation. The State of the Union Address generally includes reports on the nation's budget, economy, news, agenda, progress, achievements and the president's priorities and legislative proposals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint session of the United States Congress</span> Gathering of members of both houses of Congress

A joint session of the United States Congress is a gathering of members of the two chambers of the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Joint sessions can be held on any special occasion, but are required to be held when the president delivers a State of the Union address, when they gather to count and certify the votes of the Electoral College as the presidential election, or when they convene on the occasion of a presidential inauguration. A joint meeting is a ceremonial or formal occasion and does not perform any legislative function, and no resolution is proposed nor vote taken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president George W. Bush

The 2007 State of the Union Address was given by the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, on January 23, 2007, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 110th United States Congress. It was Bush's sixth State of the Union Address and his seventh speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Dick Cheney, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president George W. Bush

The 2008 State of the Union Address was given by the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, on January 28, 2008, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 110th United States Congress. It was Bush's seventh and final State of the Union Address and his eighth and final speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Dick Cheney, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">February 2009 Barack Obama speech to a joint session of Congress</span>

Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, addressed a joint session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. It was his first public address before a joint session. Similar to a State of the Union Address, it was delivered before the 111th United States Congress in the Chamber of the United States House of Representatives in the United States Capitol. Presiding over this joint session was the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Joe Biden, the vice president in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Bill Clinton

The 1994 State of the Union Address was given by the 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton, on January 25, 1994, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 103rd United States Congress. It was Clinton's first State of the Union Address and his second speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was House speaker Tom Foley, accompanied by Vice President Al Gore, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

In American politics, the response to the State of the Union address is a rebuttal speech, often brief, delivered by a representative of an opposition party following a presidential State of the Union address. When the president is a Democrat, the rebuttal is typically given by a Republican, and vice versa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Barack Obama

The 2011 State of the Union Address was given by the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, on January 25, 2011, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 112th United States Congress. It was Obama's second State of the Union Address and his third speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, John Boehner, accompanied by Joe Biden, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Barack Obama

The 2014 State of the Union Address was given by the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, on January 28, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 113th United States Congress. It was Obama's fifth State of the Union Address and his sixth speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, John Boehner, accompanied by Joe Biden, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Barack Obama

The 2015 State of the Union Address was given by the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, on January 20, 2015, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 114th United States Congress. It was Obama's sixth State of the Union Address and his seventh speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, John Boehner, accompanied by Joe Biden, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Donald Trump speech to a joint session of Congress</span>

Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, addressed a joint session of the United States Congress on February 28, 2017. It was his first public address before a joint session. Similar to a State of the Union Address, it was delivered before the 115th United States Congress in the Chamber of the House of Representatives in the United States Capitol. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Paul Ryan, accompanied by Mike Pence, the vice president in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Donald Trump

The 2019 State of the Union Address was given by the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, on February 5, 2019, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 116th United States Congress. It was Trump's second State of the Union Address and his third speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Mike Pence, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Donald Trump

The 2020 State of the Union Address was given by the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, on February 4, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 116th United States Congress. It was Trump's third and final State of the Union Address and his fourth and final speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Mike Pence, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

2020s in United States political history is a narrative summary of major political events and issues in the United States from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2029. The first part is divided chronologically by Congressional sessions and the second part highlights major issues that span several years or even the entire decade. There are links for further information.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Floyd Justice in Policing Act</span> Bill in the United States Congress

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 was a policing reform bill drafted by Democrats in the United States Congress. The legislation was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 2021. The legislation aims to combat police misconduct, excessive force, and racial bias in policing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Rescue Plan Act of 2021</span> Act to address economic effects of COVID-19

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan, is a US$1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, to speed up the country's recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession. First proposed on January 14, 2021, the package builds upon many of the measures in the CARES Act from March 2020 and in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, from December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Trump's farewell address</span> January 19, 2021 speech

Donald Trump's farewell address was the final official speech of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, delivered as a recorded, online video message on January 19, 2021. The farewell address was delivered the day before Joe Biden, who defeated him in the 2020 United States presidential election, was sworn in as his successor. Trump was the first president to not attend his successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Build Back Better Plan</span> Economic and infrastructure package

The Build Back Better Plan or Build Back Better agenda was a legislative framework proposed by U.S. president Joe Biden between 2020 and 2021. Generally viewed as ambitious in size and scope, it sought the largest nationwide public investment in social, infrastructural, and environmental programs since the 1930s Great Depression-era policies of the New Deal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act</span> Legislation of the 117th United States Congress

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), most commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL),, is a United States federal statute enacted by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on November 15, 2021. It was originally introduced in the House as the INVEST in America Act, and was commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill before it was signed into law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president Joe Biden

The 2022 State of the Union Address was given by the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, on March 1, 2022, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 117th United States Congress. It was Biden's first State of the Union Address, and his second speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Kamala Harris, the vice president, in her capacity as the president of the Senate.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mascaro, Lisa; Miller, Zeke (April 14, 2021). "Biden to address Congress under security, COVID restrictions". AP News . Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Solender, Andrew (April 14, 2021). "Pelosi Invites Biden To Address Joint Session Of Congress On April 28". Forbes . Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ Tankersley, Jim (March 31, 2021). "Biden Details $2 Trillion Plan to Rebuild Infrastructure and Reshape the Economy". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  4. ↑ Stevenson, Peter W. (March 3, 2021). "Analysis | Here's what H.R. 1, the House-passed voting rights bill, would do". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  5. ↑ Arango, Tim; Dewan, Shaila; Eligon, John; Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas. "Derek Chauvin Trial Live Updates: Chauvin Found Guilty of Murdering George Floyd". The New York Times . Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ Sanger, David E.; Shear, Michael D. (April 14, 2021). "Biden, saying it is 'time to end America's longest war,' declares troops will be out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  7. ↑ McPherson, Lindsey (February 11, 2021). "'Quite a week,' Pelosi says, previewing more to come". Roll Call . Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ House, Billy (April 23, 2021). "Biden to Face Sea of Empty Seats in First Speech to Congress". Bloomberg . Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  9. ↑ Gilbert, Asha (April 28, 2021). "There's no 'designated survivor' for Biden's first speech to Congress. Here's why". USA Today . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Miller, Zeke; Madhani, Aamer (April 28, 2021). "Biden speech takeaways: Government is good, and so are jobs". Associated Press . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  11. ↑ Lucey, Catherine; Rubin, Richard (April 28, 2021). "Biden to Propose $1.8 Trillion Plan Aimed at Families, Tax Hikes for Wealthiest Americans". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  12. ↑ Fandos, Nicholas (April 22, 2021). "Senator Tim Scott will deliver Republicans' rebuttal to Biden's first address to Congress". The New York Times . Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  13. ↑ Bowden, John (April 27, 2021). "Bowman to deliver progressive response to Biden's speech to Congress". The Hill . Retrieved April 29, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.