Special guests won’t be accommodated at President Joe Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress as they have in the past, according to the White House.
“There will not be the traditional box,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday. “It will not look like or feel like what past joint addresses have.”
Psaki also said she would have to “check” to find out whether even first lady Jill Biden would be attending in-person next Wednesday as preparations are made in collaboration with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
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Members of the public are typically invited to the annual presidential report to Congress as a way to personalize what the White House wants to tout as accomplishments. But coronavirus restrictions mean this year’s speech will have a smaller audience, including fewer lawmakers. Republicans, too, have pointed to the fact that Congress will be in recess next week to explain why they will not be present.
“We’re determining how we can, of course, engage the public and ensure we highlight some of the incredible stories of people who have been helped by the president’s policies and proposals,” Psaki added.
Biden is expected to unveil his trillion-dollar “American Families Plan” and push Congress to pass a policing reform bill for him to sign into law during his remarks.
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Following Biden’s address, he and the first lady will travel to Georgia to mark his 100th day in office.
