HOUSTON – (Feb. 25, 2021) – New presidents normally address a joint session of Congress the month after their inauguration, but President Joe Biden's speech is still on hold.
Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss the circumstances surrounding the delayed address, which he expects to include details of Biden's economic recovery plan. But coronavirus relief legislation, a key part of the plan, has been delayed by the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
"Earlier this month, (House) Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Biden would not address a joint session of Congress until this legislation is passed," Brace said. "And administration sources do not expect President Biden to lay out his longer-term economic plan until the relief bill passes."
Presidents typically use the joint session address to establish the tone of their administration, Brace said.
"They set their legislative agenda and outline their positions on a range of policy issues," he said. "But as it stands, President Biden is likely to deliver his address outside of the February tradition of his predecessors."
Former President George H.W. Bush delivered one of the earliest addresses to a joint session of Congress with a speech on Feb. 9, 1989. Trump delivered one of the latest, on Feb. 28, 2017. Speeches from Presidents Barack Obama (Feb. 24, 2009), George W. Bush (Feb. 27, 2001) and Bill Clinton (Feb. 17, 1993) fell in between.
Brace is widely published, mainly on U.S. politics and judicial decision-making. He regularly comments to the media on presidential politics, the judiciary and the U.S. government. For more information on Brace, visit http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~pbrace.
To schedule an interview, contact him directly at 832-628-5285.
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