In an unprecedented step and amidst tight security measures, President Joe Biden will deliver a speech at a joint session of Congress today, Wednesday. This event is noteworthy not only due to attendance restrictions related to the spread of COVID-19 but also because he will stand before two women in the House of Representatives. The joint address is not the usual "State of the Union" speech, although it will include traditional elements such as the president's arrival announcement and applause as he walks down the aisle.
The vicinity of the Capitol Building in Washington is on high alert in preparation for the president's first address to Congress. The Secret Service will be responsible for the security of this occasion, which has been classified as a special national security event. Additionally, the National Guard in the capital has confirmed its readiness to bolster law enforcement efforts, awaiting approval from the Department of Defense.
The Capitol remains surrounded by a fence, with approximately 2,250 National Guard soldiers present, a force that has remained since the January 6 riot by supporters of former President Trump. As a result, attendance inside the Capitol will be minimal to adhere to social distancing guidelines, compared to the hundreds who typically attend this event.
There are 535 members of Congress, and usually, around 1,600 people are present in the chamber during the speech. However, today the number will be limited to just 200 people, and guests are not allowed to attend. Many Republicans in the House of Representatives will be absent, partly because the chamber is in recess, and partly because they are holding their annual retreat in Orlando, Florida.
However, the Senate is in session, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that he plans to be there. Graham said today, "I want to listen to the president. I believe we should attend if we can, out of respect for his office and him."
The most significant visible difference will become apparent when the president takes the podium. Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be seated behind him. This session will be unprecedented, as the first and second in line for presidential succession are women. A source familiar with the ticket distribution system indicated to Axios that all four party conferences are set to receive the same number of tickets: Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, and Republicans and Democrats in the House.
