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Everything You Need to Know About Biden’s Address to Congress
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden will deliver a primetime speech to Congress. Biden's address to Congress can be considered as the biggest speech of his time as president so far. It also gives him an opportunity to present his agenda for the rest of his administration.
The said address will happen on the eve of his 100th day as president. This gives him an opportunity to reflect on the last few months. He may talk about the COVID-19 stimulus, his proposed spending plan, and partisan battles going on about immigration.
Many also expect the president to explain and share another proposal for the “American Families Plant,” another spending bill. This comes on the tail of his “American Jobs Plan,” which is an infrastructure bill, and the “American Rescue Plan,” which was a stimulus proposal that was meant to help provide relief from the pandemic.
When and Where
Biden’s address to members of Congress at 9 p.m. local time. He will deliver it at the U.S. Capitol’s House chamber. This is where speeches like this take place. Recently-inaugurated presidents deliver an address to a Congress joint session instead of a State of the Union address since they are recently inaugurated.
While most presidents do this, Biden’s address will take place later than what many presidents did in recent years. For example, former President Donald Trump delivered his Congress speech on Feb. 28, 2017.
Tight security in the area following the violent riots last January, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, has caused the delay.
For the address, it is expected that many political figures will be in attendance. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), will serve as two of the most prominent attendees. They will sit behind Biden while at the chamber, as is the tradition for such speeches.
Due to COVID-19, however, not a lot of Congress members will be able to attend in person.
Normally, around 1,600 people attend such addresses. However, only 200 people can come tothe House chamber – 80 would be members of the House while 60 would be senators.
Biden's Address Expected to Reveal American Families Plan
Biden is expected to lay out the “American Families Plan” during his address. This new plan will entail several things.
The said plan will include a proposal for a “high-quality preschool that would cater to 3- to 4-year-old kids. It also suggests free community college for all Americans for two years.
Additionally, the proposal will include funding for colleges and universities that are historically Black, for the training of educators, for expanded child tax credits, as well as a nationally recognized plaid-lave program.
Many project the plan to cause about $1.8 trillion.
Capitol Security Tightened
On Wednesday, multiple agencies will tighten security at the Capitol. These agencies would include the Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol Police, among other agencies.
Several sections and streets will close from 7 p.m. These include Pennsylvania Avenue NW as well as Constitution Avenue NW. A total of 17 streets will be closed in some way on Wednesday.
Only those with the appropriate credentials and with congressional IDs will be permitted to enter Capitol grounds from 7 p.m. This restriction also applies to vehicles.
As for the responses to Biden’s address, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will deliver it on behalf of the Republican party. On the other hand, Sen. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) will give the one for the Democratic Party.
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