EACH YEAR, the acting president of the United States delivers a State of the Union address.
The tradition dates back to the days of George Washington.
What is the State of the Union?
The State of the Union address (SOTU) is an annual speech delivered by the president to Congress near the beginning of each year.
Things covered by the SOTU include budget, economy, breaking news, annual agenda, achievements, legislative proposals, and the president's current priorities.
In the United States Constitution, a clause states the president must "give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."
Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas
Who attended the 2023 State of the Union address?
Each member of Congress is allotted one guest to the annual SOTU, while the president is able to invite up to 24 guests to sit with the First Lady or First Gentleman in their box.
The Speaker of the House can also invite up to 24 guests to join them in their box.
During Joe Biden's speech, we saw some recognizable names including:
- The parents of Tyre Nichols
- Monterey Park shooting hero Brandon Tsay
- Darrell Woodie
- Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffrey T. Smith
- Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi
- HIV/AIDS activist and singer Bono
Biden's guest list also included representatives on issues such as health care, economic and infrastructure efforts, veterans, hate and antisemitism, and education.
The guest list included activists on social issues such as same-sex marriage, immigration, and abortion.
The first lady invited Ukraine's Ambassador Oksana Markarova in recognition and support of the ongoing war happening in Ukraine.
Members of the Cabinet, Supreme Court justices, the Diplomatic Corps, and the military leaders constituting the Joint Chiefs of Staff had reserved seating.
What time was the 2023 State of the Union address?
Biden's State of the Union Address on February 7, 2023.
The speech began at 9pm ET.
Biden's SOTU is available for streaming via YouTube, CBS News, and C-SPAN.
All about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex Hanscombe
Newly elected Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered the Republican Party's rebuttal following Biden's speech.
Sanders is the youngest governor in the United States and the first woman to serve as governor of Arkansas.
In a joint statement, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed her saying: "Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the youngest Governor in the nation and a powerful advocate for the popular, commonsense conservative principles that will put our country back on a better course."